Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the arrest and detention on 13 November 2005 of Kizza Besigye, the leader of the Forum for Democratic Change in Uganda and the principal challenger to the presidency of Yoweri Museveni, in view of trends in governance in Uganda; if these developments suggest grounds for a reconsideration of the nature and scope of Ireland's current policies towards the Government of Uganda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39287/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government views with deep concern the arrest on 14 November of the leader of the Forum for Democratic Change, FDC, Dr. Kizza Besigye, along with 22 others, on treason and other serious charges. These concerns have been compounded by the manner in which Dr. Besigye and his co-accused have subsequently found themselves also facing similar charges before a military general court martial, at the same time as their civil case before the Ugandan High Court is proceeding. Our concerns at these developments and their implications for political reform efforts in Uganda were clearly communicated to the Ugandan Government in a meeting between the Secretary General of my Department and the Ugandan ambassador on 15 November.

The EU has also expressed its deep concern, in a statement issued on 18 November, which urged that due process and the full protection of the Ugandan constitution be afforded to Dr. Besigye and his 22 co-accused. EU and donor ambassadors in Kampala, including Ireland's chargé d'affaires, are closely following developments, including attending court proceedings where possible. They have also engaged in regular, ongoing discussions with President Museveni and the members of his government aimed at ensuring that Dr. Besigye is justly treated and the political transition process put back on track. It has been clearly communicated to the Museveni government that a failure to respond to the EU's concerns over Dr. Besigye's arrest and its implications for the political transition can only result in serious implications for our future relations with Uganda.

A number of legal challenges to the competence of the general court martial to try Dr. Besigye and his 22 co-accused have been filed in Uganda's Constitutional Court and a hearing of these suits has now been fixed for today, 14 December. The Constitutional Court has also been asked to rule in a separate application on Dr. Besigye's entitlement to bail, which was granted on an interim basis by the High Court on 25 November. However, Dr. Besigye has not been able to avail of this due to the military court charges he faces and, as a result, he remains in custody.

Dr. Besigye is due to stand as his party's candidate in the presidential election now likely to take place next February and it appears that, notwithstanding his imprisonment, he will be able to submit his nomination by the requisite deadline of 15 December. Ireland, along with our EU and donor partners, has repeatedly made clear that a level playing field must be established for all parties if genuinely free and transparent elections are to take place in Uganda next spring. It is imperative, therefore, that there should be a speedy, fair and transparent hearing before a civil court of the serious charges which Dr. Besigye and his co-accused face. They should also be extended due legal process and all protections extended under the Ugandan constitution.

The Government has repeatedly made clear its concerns over the slow pace of democratic reform and the need for improved governance in Uganda. These concerns led to the decision earlier this year to cut support to the Ugandan Government by €3 million. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will review our co-operation with Uganda in the light of further progress towards strengthening democracy and improved governance in that country.