To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of (a) the state of civil society, (b) the extent of freedom of and participation in political expression and (c) the separation of state institutions and political party systems in Uganda; and if he will make a statement [126107]

Civil society, though still fragile, continues to grow in stature and importance. Although multi-party politics is not yet established, President Museveni has indicated his intention to move in this direction. Freedom of expression across the political spectrum is tolerated and Uganda enjoys a free press. The Constitutional Review Commission, set up by the Ugandan Government, is now considering issues such as separation of state institutions and political party systems in preparation for Uganda's move to multi-party democracy.