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Uganda's judges strike over raid | Uganda's judges strike over raid |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Judges and lawyers in Uganda are on strike to protest at the recent raid on the High Court by armed forces. | Judges and lawyers in Uganda are on strike to protest at the recent raid on the High Court by armed forces. |
They want a government apology for what they see as an attack on the independence of Uganda's judiciary. | |
Last week, security agents stormed into the court area to arrest six treason suspects who had been granted bail. | Last week, security agents stormed into the court area to arrest six treason suspects who had been granted bail. |
Two years ago, operations at the court were halted after a siege by a military unit during a case against opposition leader Kizza Besigye. | Two years ago, operations at the court were halted after a siege by a military unit during a case against opposition leader Kizza Besigye. |
'Unwarranted concern' | 'Unwarranted concern' |
A statement by the judges - who say they will strike for a week - said organs of the government have repeatedly disregarded the authority of the judiciary by ignoring its directives. | |
Dr Besigye still faces treason charges | Dr Besigye still faces treason charges |
The BBC's Ali Mutasa in the capital, Kampala, says the judges are equally concerned about their freedom and independence. | The BBC's Ali Mutasa in the capital, Kampala, says the judges are equally concerned about their freedom and independence. |
But Internal Affairs Minister Ruhakana Rugunda has said the decision by the judges and lawyers to go on strike is unwarranted. | But Internal Affairs Minister Ruhakana Rugunda has said the decision by the judges and lawyers to go on strike is unwarranted. |
"The government is investigating the matter and appropriate action will be taken after the results," he said. | "The government is investigating the matter and appropriate action will be taken after the results," he said. |
On Thursday, armed security officers forced their way into the High Court's criminal registry and bundled the suspects into waiting vehicles. | On Thursday, armed security officers forced their way into the High Court's criminal registry and bundled the suspects into waiting vehicles. |
The suspects are alleged members of the People's Redemption Army (PRA) accused of plotting a coup. | The suspects are alleged members of the People's Redemption Army (PRA) accused of plotting a coup. |
The government has often linked Dr Besigye's name to the PRA, a rebel group that was allegedly based in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. | The government has often linked Dr Besigye's name to the PRA, a rebel group that was allegedly based in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. |
Dr Besigye, who was charged with treason and rape in the run-up to presidential polls last year, has denied any link with the group. | Dr Besigye, who was charged with treason and rape in the run-up to presidential polls last year, has denied any link with the group. |
He lost the election and still faces charges of treason in the High Court, but was cleared of the rape charge last year. | He lost the election and still faces charges of treason in the High Court, but was cleared of the rape charge last year. |
Former allies | Former allies |
The International Commission of Jurists has condemned the incident and urged Uganda to respect the independence and freedom of the judiciary. | The International Commission of Jurists has condemned the incident and urged Uganda to respect the independence and freedom of the judiciary. |
In 2005, as suspects charged with treason along with Dr Besigye were granted bail at the High Court, a group of heavily armed military men, since tagged the "Black Mambas Urban Hit Squad", surrounded the building. | In 2005, as suspects charged with treason along with Dr Besigye were granted bail at the High Court, a group of heavily armed military men, since tagged the "Black Mambas Urban Hit Squad", surrounded the building. |
Fearing the armed men, they opted to return to prison. | Fearing the armed men, they opted to return to prison. |
Mr Museveni has ruled Uganda for 20 years and had been seen as part of a "new generation" of African leaders. | Mr Museveni has ruled Uganda for 20 years and had been seen as part of a "new generation" of African leaders. |
But he was criticised for changing the constitution to enable him to stand in last year's polls. He received 59%, against 37% for Dr Besigye. | But he was criticised for changing the constitution to enable him to stand in last year's polls. He received 59%, against 37% for Dr Besigye. |
Dr Besigye used to be Mr Museveni's personal doctor and the two men were allies in the guerrilla war which brought Mr Museveni to power. | Dr Besigye used to be Mr Museveni's personal doctor and the two men were allies in the guerrilla war which brought Mr Museveni to power. |
After the pair later fell out, Dr Besigye stood against Mr Museveni in 2001 as well as last year. | After the pair later fell out, Dr Besigye stood against Mr Museveni in 2001 as well as last year. |
After losing the 2001 poll, Dr Besigye fled Uganda, saying he feared for his life, and only returned in 2005. | After losing the 2001 poll, Dr Besigye fled Uganda, saying he feared for his life, and only returned in 2005. |
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