CAR CHECK AT UGANDA/KENYA BORDER; COURT OF JUSTICE WHERE INQUIRY IS BEING HELD; HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.




Initials JHS/V/BH/SA



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Background: WITH TENSION STILL GRIPPING UGANDA SINCE THE PRIME MINISTER, DR MILTON OBOTE, SUSPENDED THE CONSTITUTION, POLICE ARE CHECKING EVERY VEHICLE THAT ENTERS THE COUNTRY ON THE UGANDA/KENYA BORDER. MEANWHILE A JUDICIAL INQUIRY HAS OPENED IN KAMPALA INTO ALLEGATIONS THAT DR OBOTE AND TWO OF HIS MINISTERS PROFITED FROM GOLD AND IVORY SMUGGLING FROM THE CONGO LAST YEAR.

DR OBOTE SAID ON FEBRUARY 24 THAT HE HAD ASSUMED ALL POWERS OF GOVERNMENT IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST. HE LATER ALLEGED THAT UGANDA'S PRESIDENT SIR FREDERICK MUTESA WAS TRYING TO ENLIST FOREIGN MILITARY AID TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT.

LONDON BARRISTER, MR. JOHN RANKIN, IS REPRESENTING THE COMMISSION INTO THE SMUGGLING CHARGES. HE TOLD THE INQUIRY THAT AN OPPOSITION M.P., MR DAUDI OCHIENG, HAD MADE 29 ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DR OBOTE AND OTHERS IN PARLIAMENT LAST MONTH. THE CHARGES INCLUDED CORRUPTION, DISHONESTY, DECEIT, THEFT AND SUBSERVIENCE, MR RANKIN SAID.