US Ambassador Hails Human Rights In Uganda

By Milton OlupotTHE American Ambassador, Mr. Martin Brennan, has said the human rights situation in Uganda has improved tremendously.“In Uganda now you are able to do things that you wouldn’t do before. Things have tremendously improved,” he said.He cited the freedom of the press and of speech where people are free to express their opinions. He said, however, the electoral process continues to be marred by malpractices and intimidation.Brennan was recently speaking at the hand over of a country report on Human Rights Practices-2001 released on March 4, by the US Department of State.The report received by the Human Rights Commission chairperson, Mrs Margaret Sekaggya, said there were still numerous abuses of human rights by the government and its agencies.It said the Movement domination of the political process limited the rights of citizens to change their government.The report accuses security forces of using excessive force that sometimes results in death and of committing or failing to stop extra-judicial killing of suspected rebels and civilians.Brennan, however, cautioned that the report was a chronicle of events. “The assessment of whether the glass is half-empty or half-full is often a judgement call,” he said.Ends