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suspended. I very much hope that no vindictive steps will be taken
against either the leaders of the drivers or teachers, or indeed
against members of the two groups for their participation in the
strikes.
Tucsday 14 July 1998
I had discussions with Mr. Sebulime, Ag. Director, Multilateral
Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I briefed him about the
Commission and its mandate, especially that concerning
promotional activities. I made the point, which was to be repeated
at almost all subsequent meetings, that although Uganda was one
of the countries which had a national among the first set of
Commissioners, the late Grace- 1bingira in 1986 regretta bly no
State report has been submitted from Uganda to the Commission.
I urged Mr. Sebulime to do his utmost for the defect to be
remedied. In response he stated that unfortunately personnel who
were trained to prepare reports to the treaty bodies to which
Uganda belongs either left the country or the Ministry shortly alter
their training. However, new people were being trained, and
Uganda had just submitted its report under the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Attention would be turned
to the report demanded by the Charter:
Each State party shah undertake to submit every two
years, from the date the present Charter cornes into
force, a report on the legislative or other measures
taken with a view to giving effect to the rights and
freedoms recognized and guaranteed by the present
Charter (Art. 62).
1 suggested that one report covering the period from ratification by
Uganda of the Charter could be -submitted. Everybody knew the
problems Uganda experienced under Idi Amin and the years
following it. But the progress as well as difficulties which have
been made and encountered respectively since that time were
vv-orth recounting for the lessons which could be learnt by other
countries, I noted.
Another point raised by me, which was also repeated in
subsequent meetings, was state participation in the sessions of the
Commission. Some state parties have sent delegates to address
and participate in the open sessions of the Commission's meetings,
and Uganda was encouraged to be part of this healthy process.
3