Document #1255785
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
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.
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)
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)