§ Mr. Skinnardasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the 14 men arrested in Uganda two months ago had an open trial in court; and for what length of time they are to be deported.
§ Mr. George HallI am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving me the opportunity to explain the position. The answer is "No." The action against these men was taken under the Uganda Order in Council of 1902 and the Uganda Deportation Ordinance, which provide that if the Governor is satisfied by evidence on oath that any persons are conducting themselves so as to be dangerous to peace and good order in Uganda he may order the deportation of such persons either outside Uganda or to another part of the Protectorate, and their detention pending deportation. In view of the exceptional situation created last September by the murder of the Prime Minister of Buganda the Governor considered the use of these special powers 1411W to be unavoidable, and I agreed. The 14 men in question were accordingly detained. Two of them are to be deported outside Uganda and the remaining 12 from Buganda to another part of the Protectorate. I am not in a position to state what the period of the deportations will be, but all the cases will be reviewed regularly at intervals of three months.
It was only with the greatest reluctance that the Governor recommended and I approved these drastic measures. As hon. Members are aware, a series of violent disturbances took place in Uganda at the beginning of the year and the Commissioner who investigated their causes stated that he was satisfied beyond doubt that the origins of the disturbances were political. They have been followed more recently by the murder of the Prime Minister to which I have already referred. The Governor has reported that the deportation of these 14 men is essential if further disturbance and violence is to be avoided. I have given the matter prolonged and anxious consideration and I am satisfied that the action being taken
— Moslems. Christians. Others. Population, Census 1922 … … … … … 589, 177 71,464 7,617 Population, 31.12.42 … … … … … 995,292 127,284 12,121 Total Increase … … … … … … 406,115 55,72O 5,504 Natural Increase … … … … … … 386,100 40,075 5,168 Increase due to alteration of boundary with Syria and Lebanon in 1923. 10,000 — — Increase by Migration … … … … … 10,015 15,645 336 The number of Arabs is estimated to be 99.6 per cent. of Moslems, 83 per cent. of Christians and 90 per cent. of others.
It is not possible to give the information desired in the remaining parts of the Question.