AFRICA - House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats

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deregistered 25 NGOs in the public interest, none of which were human rights
groups. At least one of the groups, Caring for Orphans, Widows, and Elderly Association
(COWE) challenged its deregistration; on October 14, COWE was reinstated.
c. Freedom of Religion.—The Constitution provides for freedom of religion; however,
at times the Government limited this right in practice.
Religious groups and foreign missionaries, like other NGOs, had to register with
the Government. The Government continued to refuse registration to the World Last
Message Warning Church, due to continuing suspicions following the 2000 cult
killings of more than 1,000 citizens in Kanungu. The Government appointed a Commission
of Inquiry to investigate the killings; however, the Commission’s investigation
was delayed due to lack of funds. There were no reports that the Government
refused registration to any other religious organizations.
The backlash from the 2000 cult killings resulted in negative public attitudes toward
fringe Christian groups. Some local governments restricted the hours of operations
and the practices of religious organizations that were viewed as cults. Several
churches, including the Revival Pentecostal Church in Nseko, a church group based
in Hima public school in Busongone, and the Church of the Servants of the Eucharistic
Hearts of Jesus and Mary, remained closed during the year.
Muslims occupied positions of authority in local and central government; however,
some Muslim leaders claimed that the number of positions did not reflect their percentage
of the population.
In August the District Security Committee of Ntungamo banned night prayers in
all Evangelical churches. On August 19, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC)
John Kigyagi told the Government sponsored New Vision newspaper that night
prayers had become a security threat. Night prayers in Masaka also remained
banned at year’s end.
There were several reports that security forces denied the right of assembly to
some religious groups, largely due to reasons of national security. In April security
authorities rejected a Muslim request to march in Kampala to protest against
Israel. The Muslims agreed to hold a prayer meeting instead in downtown Kampala.
There were some reports that security officials harassed and or detained Muslims.
On July 12, 15 Tabliq Muslims who were acquitted of treason by the High Court
were rearrested by the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force on allegations that they had
made contact with ADF rebels. The suspects were remanded for further questioning.
Police arrested suspected cult leaders during the year for questioning. In May police
arrested Aloysius Ndyabawe, a suspected cult leader who allegedly confined and
overworked his followers in Kamwenge District. Ndyabawe was released after a few
hours.
On July 16, Prophet Wilson Bushara, leader of the World Last Message Warning
Church, was arrested and detained on suspicion that he was reorganizing his followers
in Bukoto in Nakaseke County, Luwero District. Bushara later was released
from Luwero Central Prison. Bushara had been released in January for lack of evidence
in the 2000 case in which he was charged with defilement, rape, abduction,
and theft.
On July 24, a court in Kampala sentenced the five leaders of the Ndawula religious
group, who had been charged in 2001 with managing an unlawful assembly
in Wakiso, to a fine of $111 (200,000 shillings) or 6 months imprisonment.
In July 2001, the court dismissed for lack of prosecution the 2000 case in which
Innocent Bitungwabariho was charged with participating in an unlawful assembly.
Nabi Besweri Kiswabuli, leader of the Issa Massiya religious group in Iganga district,
was released from prison during the year after he was cleared of any wrongdoing.
There were no developments in the following 2000 cases: The March case in which
Rukungiri Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC) Reverend Francis
Mutazindwa was arrested and released on bail for failing to act on information
about the activities of the Kanungu cult; the May case of five members of the
Kisaaba Redeemed Church in Kayunga, Mukono district; and the May case of five
members of the Mulungimu Full Gospel Church in Luweero.
There also were reports of societal violence against traditional African religious
institutions. For example, on September 16, a group of foreign pastors and evangelical
members attacked a traditional healer’s shrine in Masaka District; local residents
stopped the attack. Local police initiated an investigation into the incident.
For a more detailed discussion, see the 2002 International Religious Report.
d. Freedom of Movement Within the Country, Foreign Travel, Emigration, and Repatriation.—The
Constitution provides for these rights; however, the Government at
times limited them in practice. Some local officials reportedly demanded payment
of fees for permission to change a place of residence. A married woman must obtain
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