§ 84. Sir P. Macdonaldasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the campaign which Mr. Semakula Mulumba, a native of Uganda, is waging against the British Government and the Government of Uganda; and if he will make a statement about the present activities of Mr. Mulumba in this country.
Mr. Creech JonesYes. The Bataka movement, which Mr. Semakula Mulumba claims to represent, is a mushroom political party unrepresentative of the great mass of the people of Uganda. It has steadfastly refused to seek expression of its views by constitutional means through the system of local Councils established throughout the Protectorate on which there is a large measure of elected representation. It is not recognised either by the Native or Protectorate Governments or by myself.
Shortly after his arrival in this country Mr. Mulumba was interviewed by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State—the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Ivor Thomas)—but, as I told the House on 19th November last, no evidence was then found to support his representations that direct rule is being substituted for indirect rule in Uganda. No further interviews have been granted to Mr. Mulumba but he has addressed many abusive communications to me and to others, about events and people in Uganda. These communications do not merit serious consideration.