_____________________

The Justice Forum, known as JEEMA, is contemplating replacing Asuman Basalirwa with a new active president.

Basalirwa has been the president of JEEMA from 2010 to date. He is the chairperson of the Inter-Party Organization on Dialogue (IPOD).

The party president was also elected to the parliament in 2018 following a by-election and was re-elected in the 2021 general election to represent Bugiri Municipality.

In March last year, he tabled the most controversial Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 in which he suggested anyone found guilty of engaging in a same-sex relationship or a same-sex marriage in Uganda to serve a 10-year jail sentence.

President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law on May 29, 2023, after Parliament watered it.

According to other party officials, Basalirwa is too overloaded with national matters and seems unable to push the party's ideologies. This explains why JEEMA is among the parties that are, according to them, not fully known in the country.

JEEMA is also a political party with only one MP compared to others with over 10 members.

Ssentongo Kyamundu, the former party spokesperson who is also eyeing the seat, says Basalirwa has not done enough for the party in terms of making it sound strong, pulling the attention of fans, and recruiting new members.

Nevertheless, Kyamundu said Basalirwa is one of Uganda’s MPs who has performed extremely well in spearheading better rule of law.

He made remarks after being unveiled as the new party contestant at the JEEMA offices in Mengo on Monday.

To keep him performing in Parliament, Kyamundu said it is time to replace him as president to keep pushing its growth and expansion.

According to Kyamundu, the internal democracy is also stacked on only one person who has ruled the party since 2010 (three terms), hence making it look similar to what they called a dictatorship.

“I believe Basalirwa has served for three terms; if we give him another chance to stand for the fourth time, he will relegate our democracy. We shall not have the moral authority to condemn President Museveni for being in power for close to four decades now,” he said.

Kyamundu believed that he had a better vision that could take the party from where it was to another level. This will include concentrating on recruiting young people and developing their skills while preparing them to become better leaders soon.

JEEMA is one of the parties that has never fronted a president to compete at the national level. Kyamundu said that after assuming office, in the next ten years, the party will probably take over power.

Charles Omaru, the vice president of the eastern region, stressed that the youth in the country have gone astray, citing a lack of morals. He said that without good morals, the country is bound to flourish and fail to develop as expected.

“Forgetting the political parties we serve, we need to groom youth for a clear political career,” he said.

Kamanzi Edbert, the JEEMA representative in the Western region, said for a party to grow like others, relieving some duties from Basalirwa is the right move. By press, Basalirwa's phone was unable to be reached.

JEEMA seeks to replace party president Basalirwa

Basalirwa has been the president of JEEMA from 2010 to date. He is the chairperson of the Inter-Party Organization on Dialogue (IPOD).

Asuman Basalirwa, president of JEEMA. (News Vision Archive)

Ibrahim Ruhweza

Journalist @New Vision