UGANDA APPROVED DEATH SENTENCE FOR TERRORISTS

November 20, 2014: The Ugandan cabinet approved principles of amendments to the country’s anti-terrorism act, introducing the death penalty for convicted terrorists.
“The amendments are intended to enable Uganda preempt and respond better to the changing trends in terrorism which remains a threat globally,” Minister for Information and National Guidance Rose Namayanja said in a statement.
Definition of “terrorism” and “acts of terrorism” are to be adjusted to include the international aspects envisaged by the UN Convention Against Terrorism, under which terrorism is defined as “the use of violence directed at civilians and non-combatants.”
According to Namayanja, the cabinet has also decided to broaden the definition of “terrorism” and “acts of terrorism” in the anti-terrorism act passed in 2002 by introducing other acts of terrorism.
Under the amended act, people who engage in or carry out any acts of terrorism, would face the death penalty on conviction if their act of terror directly resulted in the death of any person.
By definition, the acts of terrorism are those that aim to influence or intimidate the government or international organizations or to intimidate the public or sections of the public for political, religious, social or economic motives.
If convicted of terror, defendants might face the death penalty if the offence entailed carrying out other similar acts including the intentional and unlawful manufacture, delivery, placement, discharge or detonation of explosives or other lethal devices in public places, government facilities, public transport systems or infrastructure with the intention of causing death, injury, or destruction that likely or actually results in major economic loss.
Terror charges would also be leveled against people directly or indirectly involved in murdering, kidnapping, hostage-taking, and maiming or in actual, attempted or threatened attacks against a person or groups in public or private sites.
The cabinet asserted that since the anti-terrorism act was enacted in 2002, the methods of planning, financing and executing terrorist activities have become more sophisticated.
“For instance, terrorists are increasingly taking advantage of advances in information and communication technology to plan, communicate and execute heinous crimes,” Namayanja said.
“Through acts of money laundering, they are increasingly able to conceal and transfer resources to finance their illicit activities,” she added.
“Fighting these and other changing aspects related to terrorism,” she said, “calls for review of relevant laws and regulations from time-to-time.”
Accordingly, the amendments to the anti-terrorism act as approved by the cabinet have set specific components for strengthening preemptive response mechanisms against terrorism.
For instance, the amendments adjusted the definition of the term “fund” to be harmonized with that contained in the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism as “assets” of every kind, whether tangible or intangible, movable or immovable.
Namayanja explains that this component envisages the acquisition of such assets as well as legal documents and instruments whether in electronic or digital form.
“Such documentation may include but not be limited to bank credits, travelers’ checks, money orders, shares, securities, bonds, drafts and letters of credit,” she explained. (Sources: wevenews.com, 21/11/2014)