AFRICA - House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats

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stricted political activities. The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) continued
to work to amend the 1995 Constitution during the year. The judiciary generally
was independent but was understaffed and weak; the President had extensive legal
powers.
The Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) was the key security force. The Constitution
provides for civilian control of the UPDF, with the President designated
as Commander in Chief; a civilian served as Minister of Defense. The Government
withdrew a significant portion of the UPDF from the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC) during the year; however, security forces remained active in Bunia
and border areas. The UPDF also increased its activities in the north in ‘‘Operation
Iron Fist’’ against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels and conducted operations
destroying LRA sanctuaries in southern Sudan with the permission of the Sudanese
government. UPDF soldiers and members of Local Defense Units (LDU’s),
assigned to the Reserved Forces, assisted the police in rural areas. LDU’s operated
under the authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs but lacked a legal mandate.
The Internal Security Organization (ISO) remained under the direct authority of the
President. Although the ISO primarily was an intelligence-gathering body, its
operatives occasionally detained civilians. The Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI),
under UPDF control, detained civilians suspected of rebel and terrorist activity. The
police were organized as a national force under the authority of the Ministry of Internal
Affairs. All security forces were under government control and were responsive
to the Government. Members of the security forces committed numerous serious
human rights abuses.
The country’s population was approximately 24.6 million. The economy grew at
a rate of approximately 5.6 percent during the year. Approximately 40 percent of
total GDP was in agriculture, and foreign economic assistance accounted for approximately
48 percent of the total government expenditure. Foreign investment fell
slightly during the year but remained close to 4 percent of GDP. Corruption was
a major problem but indicators showed positive changes during the year. For example,
Parliament created a Local government Account Committee, which pursued
local officials over financial issues raised in government audits. Parliament also
passed the Ethics Bill, which requires the declaration of wealth by government officials
and their family members. The privatization of state-owned enterprises continued.
The Government’s human rights record remained poor, and there continued to be
numerous, serious problems. Movement domination of the political process limited
the right of citizens to change their government. Security forces used excessive
force, at times resulting in death, and committed or failed to prevent extrajudicial
killings of suspected rebels and civilians. The Government enacted measures to improve
the discipline and training of security forces and punished some security force
officials who were guilty of abuses; however, abuses by the security forces remained
a problem. Security forces were responsible for some disappearances. UPDF forces
committed fewer abuses in the DRC, where they significantly had reduced their
presence during the year. Security forces regularly beat suspects in order to force
confessions and at times tortured detainees. Prison conditions remained harsh and
life threatening. Members of the security forces arbitrarily arrested and detained civilians,
including opposition politicians and their supporters. Authorities used incommunicado
detention. Prolonged pretrial detention remained a problem. Poor judicial
administration, lack of resources, a large case backlog, and lengthy trial
delays limited due process rights, including the right to a fair trial; however, some
detainees received amnesty and were released. Security forces at times infringed on
citizens’ privacy rights. The Government at times did not respect freedom of speech
and of the press, and restricted freedom of assembly and association. There were
some limits on freedom of religion and movement. Domestic violence against women,
rape, and abuse of children remained serious problems. Discrimination against
women and persons with disabilities remained problems. The Government worked
with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to combat the practice of female genital
mutilation (FGM), which occurred on a limited basis. There continued to be limits
on worker rights. Forced labor, including by children, occurred and child labor
was common, mostly in the informal sector. There were reports of trafficking in persons.
Vigilante justice remained a problem.
Insurgent forces committed numerous, serious abuses and atrocities. The LRA, a
rebel organization led by Joseph Kony, increased attacks in the north and killed and
abducted civilians, including children. Remnants of the Allied Democratic Forces
(ADF) on one occasion abducted civilians.
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