Regional law body unhappy with Uganda situation

Arusha. The East African Law Society (EALS) has castigated the Ugandan government over what it says was increased and systematic violence targeting persons perceived to be political dissidents there.

It said the ongoing clampdown against civil rights protestors was a flagrant violation of the rule of law and respect to fundamental human rights and freedoms and Uganda's obligations to the East African Community (EAC).

"The partner states to the Treaty establishing the EAC have undertaken to observe the rule of law and human rights", Richard Mugisha, the President of the Society in a statement released in Arusha late yesterday.

He added that the reported violence and claims of unfair treatment accorded to the political detainees, unless abated forthwith, risked negating every good gain that Uganda has made in promoting regional integration.

Uganda has been subjected by horrid reports of political violence in recent days, more so following a by-election in Arua where an independent candidate won the hotly-contested Parliamentary seat.

The situation became more tense when a vehicle in the convoy of President Yoweri Museveni, who went there to campaign for the ruling party NRM candidate, was stoned.

Several people, including the opposition MPs were reportedly beaten,detained  and tortured following the near chaos, leading to more protests in the area and in Kampala and its vicinity.

EALS, a premier bar association in the region with an observer status to the Community, said some of the detainees have been subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment as well as denied access to medical services.

"These reports are horrifying and a matter of grave concern to every being of conscience. Worse still, the detainees have been denied legal representation of their choice contrary to the norm in a fair trial process", Mr. Mugisha pointed out.

The law body called on the Uganda government to forthwith take steps to forestall further human rights violations "and to ensure that the detainees are granted all freedoms and rights appropriate to their attainment of fair trial".

The EAC Heads of States were urged to implore on the Ugandan leader "to take appropriate steps to end the human rights violations that now threaten the integrity and the future of the EAC".