20
be wrong for the police to disrupt meetings of the opposition, and
we have been cautioning them to desist from so doing.
Account should however be taken of the political sy-stern that
obtains in Uganda. High profile meetings of political parties are
illegal. Everybody is supposed to belong to the Movement until
there is a referendum (scheduled for 1999). Also unlawful are
party banners and flags. This is the excuse (law?) the police use to
prevent the meetings.
Foundation For African Development (FAD) is an NGO which is
ostensibly apolitical but Ssemogerere (a leading opposition figure)
uses it to hold mass and other high profile meetings of his party.
FAD in short is used by the opposition to carry out political
activity, which is prohibited.
Concerning the women who marched on Parliament, the minister
conceded that arrests had taken place in the wake of bomb
explosion in Kampala. They were suspects in offences in the
nature of terrorism. They could not be taken to court within 48
hours for logistical and technical reasons. Subsequently they were
arraigned before court and remanded. They have been visited by
the Human Rights Commission of Uganda.
I am grateful to the Honourable Minister for the patience he had
with every question I raised, and the pains he took to let me see
his and the government viewpoints. To reiterate an earlier
expression of gratitude, I am much obliged to the minister also for
making his official vehicle available to get me to my next
appointment.
(iii) The last engagement of the day was a meeting with the Minister of
Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
After briefing him on the Commission, I raised the issues of the
state report of Uganda, attendance at the Commission's Sessions
by Government delegates and the use of the criminal process to
intimidate the opposition.
While criminal prosecution should not be oppressive, there was a
legal basis for the disruption of Ssemogerere's meeting on 10 July.
Statute should not be used to prevent freedom of expression, but
fear of breach of the peace may lead to prevention of a meeting.
8