Given credible claims from observer groups and the opposition, there must be an impartial judicial process. An independent assessment of the facts and a prompt analysis of the legality of the events are essential to maintain citizens' faith in the electoral process.

Given credible claims from observer groups and the opposition political parties, there must be an impartial judicial process.

In an eight-day span, the Ugandan government has seriously damaged its human rights reputation by riding roughshod over the rights of political opponents and the courts. The government has arrested the main presidential opponent, used commandos to intimidate the judiciary and banned all public protests, radio discussions and even posters on the subject.

The ruling party is playing a dirty game of intimidating the electorate and undermining the opposition.

In essence these are multi-party elections in a one-party state. We urge all the election observers to take that into account and to address allegations of abuse.

When the ruling party has unhindered access to government funds, illegally uses government assets such as vehicles to campaign, and receives six times as much TV coverage as the opposition, there is no level playing field.