Uganda's presidential election has been won by the outgoing Mr Yoweri Museveni in an unequal contest marked by continuous legal harassment of his main opponent, Dr Kizza Besigye. He has been in office for 20 years, since he overthrew Milton Obote in 1986.
While he has constructive achievements to his credit over that time, in recent years there have been growing criticisms of his autocratic style and corruption in his administration. A number of governments, Ireland's included, have withdrawn or withheld aid as a result. They will be watching carefully to see whether the record improves.
Uganda stands out from other African states for its social and economic development during Mr Museveni's long time in power, notably in public health and an anti-Aids campaign which has reduced incidence of the disease from an estimated 18 per cent to 6 per cent of the population by using education, condoms and abstinence. Primary schooling has doubled, there has been substantial progress by women and government control of the media and judiciary were somewhat relaxed.
In the economic sphere infrastructure has been improved and the country's export production of commodities such as coffee, tea, cotton and tobacco developed by liberalising and privatisation measures. This has brought new prosperity and growth to rural areas, where 80 per cent of Uganda's 28 million people live, attracting investment and aid.
But it has also attracted growing attention to Mr Museveni's political shortcomings. Last year he persuaded the parliament to allow him stand for a third term, after he claimed he was the only person who could lead Uganda. He agreed to allow multi-party elections - a test case for other African states. But in addition to problems with corruption and his autocratic attitude to political opponents Mr Musevini still faces a rebellion led by the so-called Lord's Resistance Army in northern Uganda which has displaced over one million people. The legacy of his expensive military adventures in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo are still felt.
Ireland has given aid of over €100 million to Uganda over the last four years, €29 million in 2005. Flows were cut on several occasions, as was aid from other European states. Most of it has been aimed at healthcare, education and local infrastructure and channelled where possible through non-governmental organisations. But it does not make sense to dissociate aid from political probity. Mr Museveni was made fully aware of these concerns when he visited Ireland in 2003. The flow of aid must be monitored carefully now that he is back in power.