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Uganda (Deportation Orders)

Volume 478: debated on Wednesday 25 October 1950

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12.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mr. I. K. Musazi, President of the Uganda Farmers Union, who is now in Britain, is not permitted to return to his native land Uganda; how long this order has been in existence; and for what period will it continue.

The Commission of Enquiry into the 1949 riots showed Mr. Musazi to have been seriously implicated in them. In view of this and his subsequent activities, the Governor considers that his return to Uganda at the present time would be contrary to the public interest. The question of making an order has not yet arisen, but Mr. Musazi was warned on the 3rd August, 1950, that the Uganda Government would feel bound to deport him should he arrive in Uganda in the near future. The period for which this warning remains in force must depend on conditions in Uganda and Mr. Musazi's own behaviour.

Will the Minister make it quite clear that this gentleman is not prevented from leaving this country and returning to his own country because of his legitimate activities in the trade union movement of that country?

To remove any misapprehension in the mind of my hon. Friend, I would point out that Mr. Musazi came to this country voluntarily and on his own account.

Is this gentleman a member of Jehovah's Witnesses or of the Watch Tower?

Will my right hon. Friend say whether this action was taken in pursuance of the ordinance of 1902, and, if so, as that ordinance gives power to deport without trial or to keep out of the country without trial, is that not a complete negation of Article 75 of the United Nations' Charter?

As I have indicated, no order of deportation was put into operation at all. Mr. Musazi was warned that one would be put into operation, but I would prefer to see the question on the Order Paper.

Can the Minister say what are the conditions on which this man will be able to return to his own country?

No, Sir. The fact is that if hon. Members will read the report they will see that this was a planned rebellion which led to a great loss of life, and they will also see what the Commission found out and said about Mr. Musazi.

25.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons are under sentence of deportation from Uganda; what rights of appeal are open to persons against whom a deportation order is made; what machinery exists for review of such orders; and what allowances are made to deportees and their families.

The answer to the first two parts of the Question is, "None, Sir." When such deportation orders were last in force, the Governor reviewed them every three months. The last part of the Question is hypothetical and would be decided in the light of circumstances if and when a deportation order were made.