Public raises concern on anti-terror Bill

By Umaru Kashaka

PUBLIC hearings on the proposed anti-terror legislation started Wednesday with a section of the public raising concerns about Government's poor enforcement strategy and funding mechanism.

This was during the parliamentary committee on defence and internal affairs meeting over the controversial Bill that seeks to define terrorism and create the offence of terrorist financing.

The Bill also seeks to expand the definition of acts of terrorism to accommodate international organisations and penalise indirect involvement in acts of terrorism.

The director of learning, adaptation and innovation at the East African Centre for International Relations and Foreign Policy Studies (EACIRFPS), Richard Baguma, said 'so many' laws are lying on shelves because there are no funds to implement and enforce them in spite the certificate of financial implications having been given by the ministry of finance during enactment process.

"At the back of this particular exercise, there is a general view in the public domain that there exists over legislation in Uganda exception granted in this particular amendment that aims to bring our national anti-terrorism legal regime in conformity with international law," Baguma noted.

He also questioned what happens with terrorism cases if they are treated with mismanagement and gross incompetence bordering on deliberate behaviour of prosecuting teams from the Directorate of Public Prosecution and the Police especially in investigations and disappearance of files of suspects.

"My concern is based on the perennial ranking of Uganda in the corruption and bribery indices where it occupies a prime and enviable position in the region and worldwide. What happens with terrorism cases if they are treated like that? This is an area that needs mindful consideration in the spirit of this enactment," he said.

Dan Mukiibi, a resident of Kawempe division, asked legislators and the Government not to dismiss the possible role poverty plays in terrorism.

"This is an important law but let's first address the issues of poverty and social inequalities in the country. These are primary motivations for terrorist acts. Our society is filled with poor people who have no prospects at all. These poor people can easily be lured into joining terror groups," Mukiibi said.

The Soroti Municipality MP Mike Mukula called for amendments to the proposed law. He said new clauses on the compensation of victims of terrorist acts and giving people who volunteer information about terrorist acts should be inserted in the Bill.

Kapelebyong MP, Emmanuel Eriaku, said the Bill is important because it will give the Inspector General of Police the power to seize the funds and property linked or intended for terrorism activities.

Although Government has said the measures are vital to maintaining stability and security, critics, including political opposition and some members of civil society, worry the law will be used to silence political dissent.