Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the situation in Uganda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7605/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Uganda's track record in poverty reduction and economic management over the last 18 years stands up favourably to comparison with much of Africa. The country has earned a good reputation in some areas such as press freedom. The decision to move to a multiparty system and the recent registration of some political parties offer the possibility of greater democratic change in future. However, concerns remain about some aspects of governance.

The insecurity in the northern region of Uganda has caused widespread disruption and loss of life. However, there are recent indications that it may be entering its final phase. While the government continues to pursue a military campaign against the LRA, it has also engaged with an intermediary in an effort first to secure a ceasefire and then an engagement on a negotiated peace. The process is being assisted by a number of donor countries, including Ireland.

A ceasefire was announced on 14 November 2004 by President Museveni and held until the end of last year. Subsequently, an 18 day ceasefire was implemented during February and the Ugandan Government renewed its amnesty legislation for six months. While this second temporary ceasefire has not been renewed, mediation efforts are continuing and there are still hopes a permanent ceasefire will be agreed soon. However, contacts with the LRA have become more difficult since the surrender on 16 February of Commander Sam Kolo, its chief negotiator.

The peace agreement signed on 6 January between the Government of Sudan, previously a supporter of the LRA, and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, SPLM, provides a major incentive for the peace process in northern Uganda. It is assumed this will impact on the sustainability of the LRA insurgency and will encourage a reconsideration of its campaign. Also, President Museveni appears to perceive a need to pacify the region in order to create an additional support base for his National Resistance Movement, NRM, ahead of the 2006 elections. The current investigation by the International Criminal Court, ICC, into war crimes and crimes against humanity is putting pressure on both the government and the LRA. Civil society initiatives on reconciliation are helping to build momentum.

In the meantime, the humanitarian situation in northern Uganda remains fragile, although there are some indications that the current peace efforts are having a positive impact. The chairman and vice-chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs visited northern Uganda in late September 2004.

On the political front, Uganda has commenced a process of transition from its current "no party" system to a multi-party system. On 22 September 2004, a White Paper was published on proposals for constitutional change which endorsed the move to multi-party democracy and the necessary changes in legislation required to enable political parties to operate. A referendum will be required to change the constitution and this is scheduled for 1 July. It is envisaged that this process will culminate in multi-party presidential and parliamentary elections in February/March 2006.

While the move to multi-party democracy is welcome, the draft legislation currently being considered by the parliament would repeal current provisions limiting a president to two five year terms, thus facilitating a third term for President Museveni. Repeal of the term limits provision will require a two thirds majority in parliament. While the President has not publicly said whether he will seek another term, concerns about this issue have been raised by the EU with the Ugandan Foreign Minister.

Respect for human rights is enshrined in the Ugandan Constitution and Uganda has good policies and strong institutions in support of human rights, in particular an active and respected Human Rights Commission. It also has a free press which plays a constructive role in highlighting abuses. At the same time, donors are concerned about incidents of torture and illegal detention by security forces in 2003 and have kept the government under pressure in this respect. In July 2004, the security agencies agreed to work together with the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the director of public prosecutions to fight torture. This is a positive development, although concrete results will have to be awaited.

Uganda has also been playing a more constructive role of late in the peace processes in both the DRC and Burundi. An agreement was concluded in Kampala on 26 October 2004 between the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda to establish a tripartite commission aimed at resolving outstanding political and security issues, including completing disarmament of armed groups in eastern DRC with former links to both Rwanda and Uganda. The Ugandan Government has participated constructively within the framework of the Great Lakes conference and has been following up on the findings of the Porter commission of inquiry into allegations of illegal exploitation of resources in the DRC and bringing to account persons implicated in such activities. However, while the director of public prosecutions has recently announced that he cannot proceed with prosecutions on criminal charges in some key cases due to lack of evidence, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has indicated that the Ministry of Defence will take disciplinary measures against individual army officers identified by the Porter commission.