Njuba attacks DP for anti-coalition stance
Feb 24, 2004
REFORM Agenda deputy chairperson Sam Njuba has attacked the Democratic Party (DP) opposition to the proposed coalition between the seven political parties and groups ahead of the 2006 elections.
By John Kakande
REFORM Agenda deputy chairperson Sam Njuba has attacked the Democratic Party (DP) opposition to the proposed coalition between the seven political parties and groups ahead of the 2006 elections.
Speaking to The New Vision on Sunday, Njuba said the seven parties, referred to as the G7, were supposed to conclude a coalition to which DP was opposed.
“It is only DP, which is against the coalition,†Njuba said.
“Those opposed to the coalition are giving opportunity to President Yoweri Museveni.â€
Njuba (right) was reacting to DP chief Paul Ssemogerere’s recent remarks.
“There is no coalition as yet. It is cooperation. We have not reached there,†he said in Nakisunga in Mukono on Saturday.
The attack exposes a split within the alliance of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Conservative Party (CP), The Free Movement (TFM), Justice Forum, National Democrats Forum (NDF), Reform Agenda and DP.
Njuba said the opposition could only ‘offer a viable alternative’ to Museveni if it formed a coalition.
“If DP does not want it, we shall proceed without them,†Njuba said, adding that the leaders of the G7 were due to meet soon to take a final decision.
He said representatives of the parties who attended the recent Jinja retreat adopted a resolution to formalise the coalition.
“We are a pack of divided opposition. Nobody would vote for a divided opposition,†Njuba said.
Njuba said they were giving DP time to appreciate the importance of a coalition.
“How can you co-habit when you are in different homes?†he asked.
Njuba said the opposition needed a coalition to avoid the mistakes of Kenya’s ruling National Alliance of the Rainbow Coalition (NARC) and the defunct Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF).
He said the problem faced by President Mwai Kibaki’s ruling NARC was that the coalition was formed weeks to the elections.
“Now everybody suspects each other,†he argued.
Njuba said the UNLF failed because it was also formed in Moshi, Tanzania, shortly before Idi Amin was toppled.
He criticised DP leaders for organising a separate rally at Abayita Ababiri in Entebbe on Saturday.
Njuba said the G7 had planned a joint rally at the Clock Tower and were caught unawares by the DP one.
Ssemogerere reportedly sent a representative at the Clock Tower rally and went to Abayita Ababiri.
At the rally, Ssemogerere reiterated his party’ stance there was not yet a G7 coalition but a cooperation.
“We are cooperating to dismantle the Movement system legally,†Ssemogerere said.
He said the issue of a coalition should be discussed at the time of elections in 2006.
Ssemogerere said what was at stake was not elections and therefore it was too early to discuss issue of a coalition.
REFORM Agenda deputy chairperson Sam Njuba has attacked the Democratic Party (DP) opposition to the proposed coalition between the seven political parties and groups ahead of the 2006 elections.
Speaking to The New Vision on Sunday, Njuba said the seven parties, referred to as the G7, were supposed to conclude a coalition to which DP was opposed.
“It is only DP, which is against the coalition,†Njuba said.
“Those opposed to the coalition are giving opportunity to President Yoweri Museveni.â€
Njuba (right) was reacting to DP chief Paul Ssemogerere’s recent remarks.
“There is no coalition as yet. It is cooperation. We have not reached there,†he said in Nakisunga in Mukono on Saturday.
The attack exposes a split within the alliance of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Conservative Party (CP), The Free Movement (TFM), Justice Forum, National Democrats Forum (NDF), Reform Agenda and DP.
Njuba said the opposition could only ‘offer a viable alternative’ to Museveni if it formed a coalition.
“If DP does not want it, we shall proceed without them,†Njuba said, adding that the leaders of the G7 were due to meet soon to take a final decision.
He said representatives of the parties who attended the recent Jinja retreat adopted a resolution to formalise the coalition.
“We are a pack of divided opposition. Nobody would vote for a divided opposition,†Njuba said.
Njuba said they were giving DP time to appreciate the importance of a coalition.
“How can you co-habit when you are in different homes?†he asked.
Njuba said the opposition needed a coalition to avoid the mistakes of Kenya’s ruling National Alliance of the Rainbow Coalition (NARC) and the defunct Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF).
He said the problem faced by President Mwai Kibaki’s ruling NARC was that the coalition was formed weeks to the elections.
“Now everybody suspects each other,†he argued.
Njuba said the UNLF failed because it was also formed in Moshi, Tanzania, shortly before Idi Amin was toppled.
He criticised DP leaders for organising a separate rally at Abayita Ababiri in Entebbe on Saturday.
Njuba said the G7 had planned a joint rally at the Clock Tower and were caught unawares by the DP one.
Ssemogerere reportedly sent a representative at the Clock Tower rally and went to Abayita Ababiri.
At the rally, Ssemogerere reiterated his party’ stance there was not yet a G7 coalition but a cooperation.
“We are cooperating to dismantle the Movement system legally,†Ssemogerere said.
He said the issue of a coalition should be discussed at the time of elections in 2006.
Ssemogerere said what was at stake was not elections and therefore it was too early to discuss issue of a coalition.