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Russia (Energy Supplies)

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of Russia's development of natural gas pipelines to China. [62142]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: Russia and China formally agreed to construct a spur to China from the planned East Siberia-Pacific Ocean gas pipeline during President Putin's visit to China on 21–22 March. This is consistent with Russia's desire to diversify gas exports and customers. President Putin stressed at the time of the announcement that Russia would continue to meet all its delivery requirements to European customers. More generally, the agreement reflects strengthening trade, economic and energy co-operation and bilateral links between China and Russia. Diversification of China's energy portfolio towards greater use of gas as a cleaner energy source and as a substitute for coal is good for climate change reasons.

Sierra Leone

Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security situation in Sierra Leone. [63329]

Ian Pearson: The overall security situation in Sierra Leone is generally calm, but fragile. The situation had sufficiently improved to allow the full departure of the UN peacekeeping force, the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, at the end of 2005. There has been progress on improving the training, leadership and professionalism of the Sierra Leone Army and Police forces. A UK-led International Military Assistance and Training Team has aided much of this reform by close co-operation with the Army and will remain in Sierra Leone until at least 2010. They currently have
 
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approximately 100 personnel in country. We have also provided support to the police in a training and reform programme, which has left them better able to deal with internal security.

Uganda

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the conclusions of the Commonwealth Observer Group report on the elections in Uganda on (a) the environment in which the elections were held, (b) whether there was a clear distinction between the ruling party and the state, (c) the use by the ruling party of public resources, (d) media coverage, (e) alleged harassment of the main opposition presidential candidate and (f) allegations of use by the ruling party of financial and material inducements. [62659]

Ian Pearson: On 15 March, the Commonwealth Observer Group issued its final report on the 2006 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The report noted that the elections had generally been well administered and had enabled the will of the people to be expressed. However, the Group highlighted some serious irregularities, including the use of public resources, harassment and financial and material inducements, which meant that candidates were not competing on a level playing field.

We, along with other donors, raised these concerns with the Ugandan government in the run-up to the elections. In particular, we called for a clear separation of the Movement Party from the State, and for a swift and transparent trial for Dr. Kizza Besigye, the main opposition leader.

Our High Commissioner in Kampala, as chair of thelocal donors' group, held discussions with both the President and the main opposition party following the elections. We have called on all involved to work within the Constitution to embed pluralist democracy in Uganda.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on the prospects for multi-party democracy in Uganda of the nomination of senior army officers to sit and vote in the next multi-party parliament; and if he will make a statement. [62660]

Ian Pearson: There has been no assessment made on the effects of the nomination of senior army officers in the Ugandan Parliament. The constitution is a matter for the Ugandan people. Under the constitution of the Republic of Uganda, promulgated in 1995 and amended in 2005, the Ugandan Parliament consists of 309 Members of Parliament (MPs). A number of seats are reserved for particular sectors of society; women (69), those with disabilities (five), trade and industry representatives (five), youth (five) and the armed forces (10).

An election to determine the armed forces MPs was conducted by the Ugandan Electoral Commission in mid February 2006. General Nyakairima, Chief of Defence Forces, and General Tumwine, Chairman of the General Court Martial, were among those chosen.
 
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We welcome the return of multi-party democracy to Uganda.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the comments by Ugandan President Museveni that the UK is responsible for (a) the war in the north of Uganda and (b) the 12-hour power cuts due to load-shedding; and if he will make a statement. [62661]

Ian Pearson: During the recent election campaign, President Museveni stated that it was his opinion that the international community should share the responsibility for some of the problems currently facing Uganda. We disagree.

The long-running conflict in northern Uganda is the result of a vicious insurgency by the Lord's Resistance Army. The Government of Uganda has primary responsibility for addressing the conflict and protecting and providing for those displaced by it. We are supporting efforts to resolve the conflict and have provided over £20 million in humanitarian assistance in 2005–06.

The current extended three year period of drought in the region, coupled with reports of over-abstraction of water from Lake Victoria to generate power, have dramatically reduced the availability of power supply in Uganda leading to massive load shedding.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with President Museveni of Uganda following his election victory; and if he will make a statement. [62662]

Ian Pearson: Our High Commissioner in Kampala held discussions on 7 March with President Museveni following the election result. I also refer the hon. Member to the answers given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on 6 March 2006, Official Report, column 1179W, and the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Hands) on 13 March 2006, Official Report, column 1911W.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Ugandan authorities following (a) the killing of three Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supporters in Bulange, (b) the firing of tear gas at FDC supporters in Lugogo and (c) the driving of armoured personnel carriers through a FDC election rally in Mukono; and if he will make a statement. [62663]

Ian Pearson: The Presidential and Parliamentary elections which took place on 23 February in Uganda were generally peaceful, as noted by the Commonwealth and the European Union Observer Missions.

An individual has been arrested and is currently in detention with regard to the incident on 15 February when three opposition supporters were shot dead in the central Kampala suburb of Mengo. On 27 March, the court magistrate gave the police two weeks to complete its investigation.
 
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Armoured vehicles and tear gas was used on several occasions to police the elections. But we have not been able to substantiate the allegations that they were used to violate human rights. We have made no representations on these specific issues, but in the run-up to the elections we made clear to the Ugandan government the importance of a peaceful and transparent electoral process.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the ability of the press to operate freely in Uganda; what assessment he has made of the position in Uganda of (a) BBC reporter Will Ross, (b) the Economist reporter Drake Blake, (c) the Gulu FM Radio Station and (d) Uganda Observer reporter Ibhrahim Nganda; and if he will make a statement. [62671]

Ian Pearson: As I outlined in my answer to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) on 13 March 2006, Official Report, columns 1911–1912W, Uganda has a relatively free press. There are 129 radio stations operating across the country, six terrestrial television stations and four principal print dailies; some of which are frequently highly critical of the government. International donors monitor media freedom closely in Uganda and raised the issue most recently in a meeting with the Information Minister on 16 January 2006. There has been no assessment made regarding the position of individual journalists in Uganda.

In late 2005, there were a number of incidents which raised concern about the Ugandan government's commitment to a free press. In part this informed the decision taken in December 2005 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development, to announce a reduction of £15 million in Poverty Reduction Budgetary Support to Uganda.

We support the right of all reporters to operate freely within the law. Choice FM in Gulu was closed on instructions from the Ugandan Broadcasting Council on 14 March 2006 for alleged breaches of the Electronic Media Act and for operating without a valid licence. Choice FM is contesting the allegations and an investigation is ongoing. We will keep this issue under close scrutiny and urge the Ugandan government to fully respect freedom of expression.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the climate for investment in Uganda; and if he will make a statement. [62724]

Ian Pearson: Uganda's economy has performed well in recent years, averaging approximately 6 per cent. annual growth between 1998 and 2005. By maintaining macro-economic stability and liberal economic policies Uganda has been able to attract some multinational investment and donor support. The major export crop is coffee, with some revival of tea, tobacco and cotton production. There is a modest manufacturing and tourism sector and relatively new development of horticulture. Exports continue to rise.
 
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