Uganda: legislators stand by priest facing deportation
Two members of parliament from Uganda's troubled north have criticised the army for demanding the deportation of a Catholic priest working for peace in the region. Security officials in northern Uganda have recommended to President Museveni to deport Fr Carlos Rodriguez MCCJ, a Spanish member of the Comboni Missionaries, for spreading what they called 'false information prejudicial to national security'. Fr Rodriguez, a prominent peace campaigner in northern districts, had issued a statement about a fire in Pabbo Camp for internally displaced persons which took place on 1 February/ The military denied the accusations, arguing that the camp had been a hideout for the rebel collaborators. MPs Ogenga Latigo and Odonga Otto told journalists at Parliament [on February 12, 2004] that if the government deports Fr Rodriguez, then they would know the State has a vendetta against Catholics. "We should ensure that the church gets the immunity it deserves. Catholics want peaceful means to end the War. We shall take action within our mandate if Fr Carlos is deported," Otto said. Source: The Monitor/CISA