FDC petitions Commmonwealth secretariat over rights violations
Jun 25, 2007
THE opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has petitioned the Commonwealth heads of government to include violations of human rights in Uganda on the agenda of their forthcoming summit.
By Madinah Tebajjukira
THE opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has petitioned the Commonwealth heads of government to include violations of human rights in Uganda on the agenda of their forthcoming summit.
The FDC yesterday said they filed a petition at the Commonwealth secretariat in London on June 19, demanding that meeting drafts a resolution requiring Uganda to undertake dialogue with opposition parties with a view of agreeing on political reforms.
“We have petitioned the Commonwealth heads of government to include on the agenda, the state of human rights violation and democracy in Uganda,†said FDC president Kiiza Besigye at the party’s weekly press briefing in Najjanakumbi, Kampala.
“We have cited a number of cases of human rights abuse so that they can discuss them based on factsâ€.
He also explained that they met Commonwealth officials in Kampala and gave them a copy of the petition, adding that they promised to discuss the issues this week.
Besigye also demanded that the Commonwealth establishes a transparent procedure for censoring errant member states.
“We believe the Commonwealth is implementing some of its principles selectively. Zimbabwe and Uganda are the same when it comes to violations of human rights. But why Zambabwe was censored and Uganda spared?â€
Flanked by party member Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga, Besigye attacked the Commonwealth institution.
“The Commonwealth and its organs are hopeless. They must resurrect now. They set principles which they don’t live up to. Uganda has had a number of fraudulent elections but the body has done nothing.â€
Besigye also appealed to local and international human rights organisations to put pressure on the government to release the People’s Redemption Army (PRA) suspects who are still detained at Makindye military barracks.
Besigye explained that four of the suspects applied for bail and paid sh1m but were instead transferred from Luzira Prison to Makindye military barracks and the money had not been refunded.
He alleged that three of the suspects died in the barracks. He named them as Denis Nabirema, Moses Draman, and David Aboma.
But the army spokesman, Maj. Felix Kulayigye, denied anybody died in Makindye barracks.
He said Aboma died in Mbuya Military Hospital after being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS related illnesses. His relatives, Kulayigye noted, buried him on May 10 in Gulu and never launched a complaint.
On the other two suspects, he said they spent two nights in Makindye barracks and they were sent on remand to Luzira Prison by the General Court Martial.
THE opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has petitioned the Commonwealth heads of government to include violations of human rights in Uganda on the agenda of their forthcoming summit.
The FDC yesterday said they filed a petition at the Commonwealth secretariat in London on June 19, demanding that meeting drafts a resolution requiring Uganda to undertake dialogue with opposition parties with a view of agreeing on political reforms.
“We have petitioned the Commonwealth heads of government to include on the agenda, the state of human rights violation and democracy in Uganda,†said FDC president Kiiza Besigye at the party’s weekly press briefing in Najjanakumbi, Kampala.
“We have cited a number of cases of human rights abuse so that they can discuss them based on factsâ€.
He also explained that they met Commonwealth officials in Kampala and gave them a copy of the petition, adding that they promised to discuss the issues this week.
Besigye also demanded that the Commonwealth establishes a transparent procedure for censoring errant member states.
“We believe the Commonwealth is implementing some of its principles selectively. Zimbabwe and Uganda are the same when it comes to violations of human rights. But why Zambabwe was censored and Uganda spared?â€
Flanked by party member Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga, Besigye attacked the Commonwealth institution.
“The Commonwealth and its organs are hopeless. They must resurrect now. They set principles which they don’t live up to. Uganda has had a number of fraudulent elections but the body has done nothing.â€
Besigye also appealed to local and international human rights organisations to put pressure on the government to release the People’s Redemption Army (PRA) suspects who are still detained at Makindye military barracks.
Besigye explained that four of the suspects applied for bail and paid sh1m but were instead transferred from Luzira Prison to Makindye military barracks and the money had not been refunded.
He alleged that three of the suspects died in the barracks. He named them as Denis Nabirema, Moses Draman, and David Aboma.
But the army spokesman, Maj. Felix Kulayigye, denied anybody died in Makindye barracks.
He said Aboma died in Mbuya Military Hospital after being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS related illnesses. His relatives, Kulayigye noted, buried him on May 10 in Gulu and never launched a complaint.
On the other two suspects, he said they spent two nights in Makindye barracks and they were sent on remand to Luzira Prison by the General Court Martial.