Mon Oct 11, 2010 4:11pm GMT
af.reuters.com By Elias Biryabarema
KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda's government said on Monday it had seized copies of a book critical of President Yoweri Museveni written by the sister of the country's opposition leader on grounds it could spark social unrest.
Olive Kobusingye, sister to the east African nation's opposition flag-bearer Kizza Besigye told Reuters 500 copies of "The Correct Line? Uganda Under Museveni," were impounded by the Uganda Revenue Authority last week at Entebbe airport.
"The government has not officially communicated to me why they impounded a shipment of my book but the information I have received informally is that the book's content has been deemed inappropriate and that it can cause social disorder," she said.
The revenue agency's corporate and public affairs officer, Sara Banange, told Reuters it had seized Kobusingye's book to scrutinise its content for any inappropriate content.
"URA is obligated by the law to inspect all goods coming into the country including publications to check for content that may be pornographic or jeopardise social order. However, in this case the police is also interested," she said.
Museveni, in power since 1986, is seeking re-election early next year but faces a strong challenge from his two-time opponent Besigye, who is standing for the opposition Inter-Party Cooperation coalition.
Museveni was once considered an exemplary African leader for pursuing a liberal economy and restoring peace, but critics say he has become autocratic and corrupt.
Published in Britain, the book explores what it is says was Museveni's departure from his promises when he shot his way to power in 1986. The president pledged to restore respect for the rule of law, end profligacy of the political elite, punish corruption, end nepotism and sectarianism.
During his rule, Museveni's allies -- including Besigye, the president's former personal doctor -- have accused him of betraying these aims and have joined opposition ranks.
Museveni's bid to extend his rule to 30 years in February's election faces criticism over efforts to curtail free speech and harassment of opposition figures.
Analysts say he wants to tighten his grip on power after the discovery of oil in the country's west along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kobusingye, a medical doctor, said she could not imagine that her book would make "the regime feel threatened".
She said she would stick to her plans to launch the book on Wednesday despite the government's action.
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