DOC/OS(XXXIII)/324c/II Introduction Dates of the visit and composition of the delegation The Commissioner, Dr Vera Mlangazuwa Chirwa, Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, African Union, visited Uganda from 11 to 22 March 2001. The purpose of this visit was to evaluate and document conditions of detention in Uganda and to build a constructive and permanent dialogue with the government of Uganda with the aim of improving conditions of detention and rehabilitation in Uganda. The Special Rapporteur was accompanied by: Dr. Alpha Oumar Sankarela Diallo, Chief Medical Officer, Security and Prison Services, Guinea Conakry Annie Rashidi, Legal Officer, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, Gambia Audrey Pascaud, Assistant, France The African Commission of Human and Peoples' Rights wishes to thank them for their contribution to this mission. Background information Uganda has experienced a number of changes from the time when it was declared a British Protectorate in 1860. A number of developments have occurred in the areas of social, economic and political establishment. However the area that has seen significant changes is the political governance of Uganda. Since 1962, when Uganda attained independence from the British, the country has so far seen a total number of 7 Presidents with 8 regimes The dictatorial regime of !di Amin (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton Obote (1980-85) claimed another 100,000 lives. During the 1990s the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections. On 12 March 2001, President Yoweri Museveni was reelected to a second 5-year term under the Constitution and continued to dominate the Government. He has ruled since 1986 through the National Resistance Movement, legislatively reorganized and renamed as "The Movement" in 1995. The Constitution provides for a 295-member unicameral parliament and an autonomous, independently elected president. During 2001, the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) began work to amend the 1995 Constitution. The judiciary generally is independent but is understaffed and weak; the President has extensive legal powers. The Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) is the key security force. The Constitution provides for civilian control of the UPDF, with the President designated as commander in chief; the UPDF remained active due to the continued instability in the north, northeast, and west and because of the country's involvement in the conflict in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). UPDF soldiers and members of Local Defense Units (LDU's) assist the police in rural areas. LDU's operate under the authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs but without a legal mandate. The Internal Security Organization (ISO) remained under the direct authority of the President. Although the ISO primarily is an intelligence-gathering body, its operatives occasionally detained civilians. The Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), which also is known as the Chief of Military Intelligence (CM') and is under UPDF control, detained civilians suspected of rebel and terrorist activity. The police are organized as a national force under the authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. All security forces are under government control and are responsive to the Government. 3