‘Multiparty system non-existent at local level’
May 07, 2009
THE Uganda Local Governments Association has expressed disappointment that the multiparty system is non-existent at the local government level.
By Josephine Maseruka
THE Uganda Local Governments Association has expressed disappointment that the multiparty system is non-existent at the local government level.
Gertrude Gamwera, the association’s deputy secretary, yesterday said unless the Government changed the laws, local governments would continue operating under the Movement system.
Gamwera was speaking at the launch of a 50-page handbook on concepts for the civil society, media and the local councils at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
The handbook was launched by the third deputy premier and internal affairs minister, Kirunda Kivejinja.
“When councils are deliberating, those who came on board as independent or opposition members have no room to oppose views presented by the majority NRM councillors,†Gamwera said.
Prof. Elijah Mushemeza of Bishop Stuart University Mbarara, who carried out case studies in Mbarara and Gulu districts, said experiences from the two districts showed that the local governments had not yet understood the multiparty system.
Mushemeza added that many parties had no functional offices at the sub-county level.
Eng. Badru Kiggundu, the Electoral Commission chairman, hailed Ugandans who participated in the 2005 referendum on the multiparty system.
“Many people thought we had achieved much, but we still have a long way to go before Ugandans fully understand multiparty politics. It will take time to mature because there is a lot to be done to enable the culture of pluralism,†he said.
Kiggundu said Uganda still had about 200 years before it attained good democratic governance and appealed to Ugandans to be prepared for that long journey.
Kivejinja hailed the booklet, which he said would help sensitise the people on democracy, pluralism and representation.
He also urged academcians to develop a syllabus on leadership. The handbook was published by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).
It is a component of a one-and-half year project on strengthening civil society, media and local councils’ capacity to promote political pluralism, democratic participation and representation at the local government levels. The project is funded by the European Union.
THE Uganda Local Governments Association has expressed disappointment that the multiparty system is non-existent at the local government level.
Gertrude Gamwera, the association’s deputy secretary, yesterday said unless the Government changed the laws, local governments would continue operating under the Movement system.
Gamwera was speaking at the launch of a 50-page handbook on concepts for the civil society, media and the local councils at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
The handbook was launched by the third deputy premier and internal affairs minister, Kirunda Kivejinja.
“When councils are deliberating, those who came on board as independent or opposition members have no room to oppose views presented by the majority NRM councillors,†Gamwera said.
Prof. Elijah Mushemeza of Bishop Stuart University Mbarara, who carried out case studies in Mbarara and Gulu districts, said experiences from the two districts showed that the local governments had not yet understood the multiparty system.
Mushemeza added that many parties had no functional offices at the sub-county level.
Eng. Badru Kiggundu, the Electoral Commission chairman, hailed Ugandans who participated in the 2005 referendum on the multiparty system.
“Many people thought we had achieved much, but we still have a long way to go before Ugandans fully understand multiparty politics. It will take time to mature because there is a lot to be done to enable the culture of pluralism,†he said.
Kiggundu said Uganda still had about 200 years before it attained good democratic governance and appealed to Ugandans to be prepared for that long journey.
Kivejinja hailed the booklet, which he said would help sensitise the people on democracy, pluralism and representation.
He also urged academcians to develop a syllabus on leadership. The handbook was published by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).
It is a component of a one-and-half year project on strengthening civil society, media and local councils’ capacity to promote political pluralism, democratic participation and representation at the local government levels. The project is funded by the European Union.