According two Xinhua General Overseas News Service reports, members of the Democratic Party (DP) have been denied the right to hold political rallies (14 Nov. 1993; 8 Oct. 1993). Three attempts by DP members to hold political rallies at Kampala's City Square have reportedly been frustrated by the police, who cordoned off the square by closing all roads leading to it. (Ibid.). The first rally, reportedly scheduled for 8 May 1993, did not take place because President Yoweri Museveni warned that those who attended would be killed (AFP, 8 May 1993). Dr. Paul Ssemwogerere, the leader of the DP and also the foreign minister in President Yoweri's government, reportedly "disowned" the rally because it had been planned without the party's authorization (Ibid.).

When the government of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) headed by President Museveni came to power in 1986, it reportedly banned all political activities until a new constitution had been adopted (The Christian Science Monitor 2 July 1993). The government is said to have adopted a hard line towards opposition parties, which have accused the NRM of establishing a dictatorship (Ibid.). President Museveni reportedly suspended multiparty democracy until the year 2000 arguing that it had already led to "24 years of civil war." Nonetheless, President Museveni reportedly enjoys the support of international donors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and foreign investors (The Economist 29 May 1993). The Economist reports that the main pressure to accelerate the introduction of democracy comes from the discredited parties of the old regime: the Uganda People's Congress (a large Protestant organisation which was Milton Obote's party) and the Democratic party (dominated by Catholics). For the moment these parties are not officially banned, merely prevented from carrying out any political activity (Ibid.).

According to a 29 May 1992 AFP report, the government arrested 18 politicians in March 1992. Among those arrested were prominent DP members including vice-president Andrew Adimola, secretary-general, Robert Kitariko, and publicity-secretary, Ojok Mulozi. AFP reports that these DP members were released but does not mention the exact date of release (Ibid).

According to a Xinhua General Overseas News Service report of 14 November 1993, Robert Kitariko, defended the ban and threatened to sue the government because Uganda had not promulgated a law banning or suspending political activities (Ibid.). For additional information on this topic, please refer to the attached documents.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 29 May 1992. "Three Prominent Politicians Acquitted of Treason." (NEXIS)

_____. 8 May 1993. "Uganda's Museveni Clamps Down on Political Rally." (NEXIS)

The Christian Science Monitor [Boston]. 2 July 1993. Scott Peterson. "West Sends Millions to Uganda, Overlooking Lack of Democracy." (NEXIS)

The Economist [New York]. 29 May 1993. " Uganda: No Democracy Here, Please." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 14 November 1993. "Ugandan Opposition Party's Rally Attempt Foiled." (NEXIS)

_____. 8 October 1993. "Ugandan Police to Block Opposition Party Rally." (NEXIS)

Attachments

Agence France Presse (AFP). 29 May 1992. "Three Prominent Politicians Acquitted of Treason." (NEXIS)

_____. 8 May 1993. "Uganda's Museveni Clamps Down on Political Rally." (NEXIS)

The Christian Science Monitor [Boston]. 2 July 1993. Scott Peterson. "West Sends Millions to Uganda, Overlooking Lack of Democracy." (NEXIS)

The Economist [New York]. 29 May 1993. "Uganda: No Democracy Here, Please." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General News Service. 14 November 1993. "Ugandan Opposition Party's Rally Attempt Foiled." (NEXIS)

_____. 8 October 1993. "Ugandan Police to Block Opposition Party Rally." (NEXIS)