{UAH} UN experts want Public order management bill repealed

Like I wrote and said on radio Munansi, three independent UN experts on August 9, 2013 called on Uganda government to repeal the bill because it places restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly and association.  The government should prepare a new bill that complies with the country's international human rights and freedoms obligations.

Among other things the bill calls for police permission before more than three people can protest. The police force is authorized to use firearms when policing public events. "Requiring prior authorization from the authorities to hold an assembly may result in an effective ban on certain gatherings which violates Uganda's international obligations" and the "requirement to list the names of all participants serves only to frighten people from expressing their right to peaceful assembly", experts said.

"By excluding assemblies for social, religious, cultural, charitable, educational, commercial or industrial purposes as well as meetings of any political party from its provisions, it is clear that this law is not intended to protect the public safety during public events, but is designed to unduly limit those who wish to publicly defend their human rights". 

Unless this law is amended to comply with Uganda's international legal obligations, it must be revoked", the experts concluded (UN Daily News August 9, 2013).

Eric