1.
GV Crowds queueing, CU DITTO (2 shots)
0.13

2.
SV Women sitting down with baby
0.16

3.
GV PAN..INTERIOR..census office
0.27

4.
SV Census officials
0.32

5.
GV EXTERIOR.. crowds queueing to get in
0.38



Initials ES. 1620 ES. 1643



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Polling was peaceful in Uganda's census of Asians on Sunday (October 17) despite some controversy. An estimated 80,000 Asians attended registration centres throughout the country under threat of losing residential and citizenship rights. Some groups of Asians protested to authorities -- including the Ugandan and British Governments -- that the census was "sinister" in its racial overtones. VISNEWS cameraman Siraj Wamala toured the registration centres and sent back this film.

SYNOPSIS: Uganda -- and polling was peaceful in Sunday's census of an estimated 80,000 Asians living there. Crowds queued early to complete official forms requiring thumb-prints and asking for details of birth, marriage and citizenship -- under threat of losing any residential rights if they failed to appear. News reports said the atmosphere was "friendly", despite some controversy as Asians protested that the census was "sinister" in its racial overtones. Government officials denied this, saying the details were merely statistical, and were only required for the Government to work out a policy on matters like the granting of permanent citizenship to Asians.