WikiLeaks - the Uganda Story

The US whistle blowing website WikiLeaks states that the US is concerned that president Museveni autocratic tendencies are eroding an African success story. The explosive revelations come in several memos sent to the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Johnny Carson. The leaked cables note that under President Museveni leadership, Uganda has become a confident and outspoken regional leader through its military role in Somalia, its effective campaign against the LRA and its related commitment to rebuild northern Uganda. The cable however noted that the president's autocratic tendencies, pervasive corruption, sharpening ethnic divisions and an explosive population growth are eroding Uganda's status as an African success story. The leaked documents however note that holding a credible and peaceful presidential election in February 2011, could restore Uganda's image, but warns that failing in this task could lead to Domestic political violence and regional instability. The US also questions whether the deadly September 10-12 riots in Kampala were the beginning of a massive and open-ended effort for political change in Uganda, or would lead to a more productive internal dialogue and a stronger democracy.