To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Ugandan authorities in the case of the 19 members of the people’s redemption army in custody. (111057)

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) today (UIN 111877).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the political situation in Uganda. (111058)

In February 2006 Uganda held its first multi-party elections in 25 years. The reintroduction of a multi-party system was an important achievement. However, there is still much to be done. It is essential that the Government and the Opposition parties continue to work together to embed the evolving multiparty democracy and ensure transparency. We have regular dialogue with the Ugandan authorities on these issues. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, met President Museveni most recently on 20 November 2006. I also refer my hon. Friend to the Westminster Hall Adjournment debate on Northern Uganda held on 23 January 2007, Official Report, columns 442-50WH.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Ugandan Government on its refusal to release People Redemption Army suspects who have been granted bail by courts in Uganda; and if she will make a statement. (111693)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him today (UIN 111877).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of (a) respect for the constitution, (b) the independence of the judiciary, (c) the rule of law and (d) human rights in Uganda; what assessment she has made of the likely effect on stability in Uganda of the refusal of the authorities to release the 19 people’s redemption army suspects on bail; and if she will make a statement. (111877)

We are closely following the situation regarding the continued detention of the 19 people’s redemption army suspects. The prison authorities were ordered to bring the individuals before the High Court on 25 January but the suspects were not produced. We are concerned about the implications of this on the independence of the judiciary and with regard to respect for human rights in Uganda. We call on all sides to abide by the constitution and to respect the rule of law.

Our High Commissioner in Kampala expressed our concerns about the continued custody of the 19 PRA detainees when he met Foreign Minister Kutesa on 23 January.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (John Bercow) on 19 January 2007, Official Report, columns 1409-10W and to the Westminster Hall Adjournment debate on Northern Uganda held on 23 January 2007,Official Report, columns 442-50WH.