KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) – The Ugandan government on Friday denied the existence of a secret program to use computer spyware on its opponents, saying the report by a London-based advocacy group is based on a fake document.
The purportedly classified document cited by Privacy International isn’t an authentic government document, Col. Shaban Bantariza, a government spokesman, told reporters.
“It is an assumed government report,” he said, referring to the document detailing the allegedly secret espionage program to hack and blackmail perceived opponents. “We do not surveille political activists.”
But Francis Mwijukye, an aide to opposition leader Kizza Besigye, said the report proves it is “time for Ugandans to say enough is enough” with the government of long-time President Yoweri Museveni. Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, was put under house arrest Thursday in his home near Kampala by policemen who said he planned to hold illegal rallies.
Bantariza warned that “the government and the state certainly have the means, which include equipment, to monitor those who would like to endanger Ugandan security.”