UGANDAN ANGER AT PHONE TAP MOVE BY UG GOVT

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Security agencies have been accused of illegal phone tapping
The opposition in Uganda has condemned a government move to legalise phone tapping by the security agencies.
The bill, which is to be tabled before parliament, seeks to allow the lawful interception and monitoring of communication in Uganda.



The Uganda People's Congress (UPC) party claims the move is intended to suffocate the opposition.



Relations between the government and the opposition have been acrimonious following disputed polls in 2006.



?It is a bad thing to entrench telephone tapping into our laws. It will jeopardise people's freedom,? UPC youth leader Benson Obua-Ogwal said during a press briefing.



Security Minister Amama Mbabazi presented the draft bill to a ruling party meeting where the government was canvassing MPs to ensure the bill sails through parliament.



President Yoweri Museveni, who was at the meeting, said that the bill was intended to monitor communication between suspected terrorists.



It would also protect the country from criminals such as Lord's Resistance Army rebel leader Joseph Kony, he said.



The bill, which has cabinet approval, also seeks to legalise the interception and monitoring of postal letters and money transfers.



Correspondents say security agencies in the country have been accused of illegally tapping the phones of prominent opposition leaders in the past.



Mr Mbabazi said the bill would reinforce the provisions of the anti-terrorism act.



Story from BBC NEWS: