Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has sharply criticised the European Union over what he described as interference in Uganda’s internal affairs, following the European Parliament’s decision to summon Uganda’s ambassador over allegations of violence linked to the January 2026 General Elections.
Speaking during the Eastern Africa Regional Parliamentary Group meeting of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States-European Union (OACPS-EU) in Eswatini ahead of this week’s OACPS–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, Tayebwa said African countries must demand greater respect from their European counterparts.
Tayebwa, who serves as President of the OACPS and co-president of the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, said Uganda rejected the European Parliament’s move to summon its ambassador, insisting that the country’s elections were “free, fair and successful.”
“For instance, Uganda recently held elections that were free, fair, and successful. However, the European Parliament summoned Uganda’s Ambassador over the election; this was not right, and we rejected it,” Tayebwa said.
He added that Tanzania had faced a similar situation, warning that African states would push for firm guarantees during engagements with EU lawmakers to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
The Deputy Speaker also revisited previous tensions between Uganda and the EU over the East African Crude Oil Pipeline dispute, after the European Parliament passed a resolution seeking to halt the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
“We opposed it strongly, and the resolution was later rescinded during an OACPS meeting in Maputo. This demonstrates the value of standing firm for Africa’s sovereignty,” he said.
Tayebwa further urged African legislators to unite around strategic priorities to strengthen the continent’s bargaining power in global negotiations, including trade, climate financing and market access.
He called for improved access to EU markets, elimination of non-tariff barriers affecting African exports, and transparency in climate financing commitments.
The Deputy Speaker also encouraged first-time delegates attending the OACPS-EU meetings to carefully scrutinise all negotiation documents in detail to ensure Africa negotiates from a position of strength.
