Uganda restrictions under fire

Uganda elections: Recriminations continue

By Will Ross BBC, Kampala

Ugandan politicians have filed a petition against new restrictions on political parties.

Sam K. Njuba

It is the duty of every citizen to use all peaceful and legal means to oppose the establishment of a one-party dictatorship

The Political Parties and Organisations Act further restricts the activities of political parties under the country's no-party "Movement" system.

The system was established in Uganda after Yoweri Museveni's National Resistance Movement (NRM) seized power in 1986 - and means candidates must stand as individuals rather than as representing a party.

Sam K. Njuba, the chair of the Reform Agenda pressure group, on Monday condemned the Act as being a violation of human rights.

He said it was not in line with the constitution which guarantees freedom of speech, association and assembly.

Rallies ban

He criticised President Museveni's Movement System for operating like a political party and campaigning for Movement Candidates in elections - which is against the law in Uganda.

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"It is the duty of every citizen to use all peaceful and legal means to oppose the establishment of a one-party dictatorship," Mr Njuba said.

The new Act forbids parties from opening up branches throughout the country - restricting them to their headquarters in Kampala.

It also continues the ban on all political rallies.

Under the new Act, existing parties have to re-register and new ones may be formed provided they fulfil certain requirements.

Multi-partyist MP Okumu Reagan announced that the Reform Agenda will not be registering as a political party because of the contents of the new Act.

Instead it would spearhead opposition parties and work with those who want to see democracy succeed in Uganda.

Uganda's Minister of Justice, Janet Mukwaya, said the new Act was aimed at cleaning up Ugandan parties which she said have no internal democracy.