Uganda: Opposition leader Norbert Mao in Washington

KPFA Weekend News Anchor Cameron Jones: Ugandan opposition leader Norbert Mao has been in the United States asking U.S. Congressmembers and State Department officials to stop supporting the repressive regime of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who entered his 26th year in power after February elections that European Union election observers and Uganda's opposition, declared a sham. KPFA's Ann Garrison spoke to Norbert Mao, inbetween his appointments in Washington D.C. KPFA/Ann Garrison:  Norbert Mao, you've been in the United States to try to persuade the U.S. Congress, and the U.S. State Department, to support the pro-democracy movement in Uganda. Have you had any success with that? Norbert Mao:  I see there's a big change in American opinion at the highest possible levels. Of course the visuals on Aljazeera, BBC, and CNN showing how the Ugandan armed forces and the police used excessive force, in brutalizing unarmed protestors, had already prepared the ground. So when I arrived, most people wanted to meet me. I have been able to meet members of Congress. And I met the Congresswoman from Minnesota, Congresswoman Betty McCollum. She has agreed to work with other members of Congress, both parties, to write a letter to President Obama, calling for stronger action and condemnation of the abuses of the rights of Ugandans. She has also agreed that she can host a briefing session on Capitol Hill, where we will bring the evidence showing that President Museveni, after 25 years in power, has despotic ambitions, he's corrupt, he's excessively violent, and he has no legitimacy, having rigged the elections. So the tide is turning in Washington. I'm very glad that we are being listened to. KPFA/Ann Garrison:  The U.S.A. has no more longstanding and loyal military partner in Africa than Uganda. Ugandans serve, like Rwandans, as UN troops in Southern Sudan, which is a U.S. protectorate. Ugandans are also the bulk of the 9,000 UN troops defending the Western-backed government in Somalia, where President Yoweri Museveni is now in charge, and Ugandans hired by private mercenary contractors, and the U.S. Army, are also serving in Iraq.  And, the U.S. is donor #1 to Uganda.