[Ugnet] Kisanja Will Kill Democracy

A new report by the American State Department warns that Uganda's democratisation process could be dealt a big blow if the current attempts to lift presidential term limits succeed.

The report by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour released on Monday says although the Ugandan government "made important progress in democratisation last year when, under court pressure, it relaxed restrictions on the operation of political parties," the road ahead remains bumpy.

"Democratization could suffer a setback if members of the ruling National Resistance Movement are successful in removing presidential term limits from the Constitution," says the American report.

But Information State Minister, Dr James Nsaba Buturo, told The Monitor yesterday that although the Americans were free to have their views, "we are absolutely determined that our Ugandan democracy must prevail."

The US report, titled "Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2004 - 2005," notes that according to the Ugandan Constitution, President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, "must step down after he completes his current term in early 2006."

"Uganda has never had a democratic handover of power from one leader to another," it adds.

The report notes that the American Ambassador to Uganda and other US government officials have discussed matters of constitutionalism with Museveni and other senior government officials at various times. It does not give any details about Museveni's or his government's response.

Museveni has not declared openly that he will seek re-election after his second and final constitutional term of office expires next year, but a large section of his supporters including government ministers and other senior officials are openly campaigning for his return.

However, Museveni's recent remarks and actions appear to suggest he will in fact stand if term limits are lifted.

International criticism of the third term campaign, popularly known as kisanja, has increased in recent days. The Dutch Minister for Development Corporation, Ms Agnes van Ardenne, said after her visit to Uganda in February that she had warned Museveni against changing the Constitution so that he could stand for a third term.

A British minister also recently questioned Uganda's democratisation process while the Irish Rock star and anti-poverty campaigner, Bob Geldof, criticised Museveni for aiming to rule for life.

The comments sparked off two demonstrations in Kampala last week, one attacking Britain and Geldof while embracing a third term for Museveni, and the other supporting the foreigners and condemning the third term project.

The American report says that although Parliament and the Judiciary, which "have shown independence, neither institution is strong enough to serve as a counterbalance to the powerful executive."

It adds: "Constitutional changes proposed by Museveni's Cabinet, which are scheduled for a vote this year, would make the executive still more powerful."

Buturo said in response to the US report that democracy means "people deciding how they should be governed." If Ugandans decide that they should be governed under a system without term limits that would be democracy at work, he said.

Buturo said the government's proposals on constitutional amendments were being handled by the appropriate institution, Parliament, and that they had the support of the people.

The report also notes that corruption "is a significant problem" in Uganda. It also mentions the northern Uganda insurgency by the rebel Lord's Resistance Army, which is "responsible for having abducted more than 21, 000 children during its 18 year campaign of terror."

The report is critical of Uganda's human rights record over the last year where serious restrictions both legal and administrative remained in the way of political party activity.

"The Government's human rights record remained poor," it says. "Although there were some improvements in a few areas, serious problems remained."

The 2004 human rights report released by the US State Department last month also attacked Uganda's human rights record, accusing security agencies of involvement in torture and illegal detention.

The bulk of the new report focuses on the US government's efforts to promote human rights, democracy and good governance throughout the world.

"The U.S. human rights and democracy strategy in Uganda promotes democratization, respect for human rights, honest and accountable institutions, decentralization and transparency," the report says. "The strategy also combats domestic violence, child labor, and trafficking in persons."

The report lists several local programmes funded by the Americans, including support for Parliament, the electoral process, and the promotion of political pluralism. Other American initiatives include support for good governance.

[Ugnet] Kisanja Will Kill Democracy - USA

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