DP urges new BOU chiefs on inflation fight during elections

The Democratic Party (DP) has urged the Bank of Uganda (BOU) not to let its guard down on fighting inflation this year.

DP electoral commission chairperson Kennedy Mutenyo says inflation is likely to increase as the election period approaches.

“It has been a norm in this country that during elections, a lot of money is released by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, which increases inflation,” Mutenyo says, adding: "Our currency has totally depreciated to the extent that even the Tanzania shilling which was below us has by-passed our currency valuation which needs to be addressed".

“We are now competing with the currency of South Sudan, a country which has just gained its Independence in 2011. This tells you that the economy is staggering,” Mutenyo added.

He made the remarks during the weekly media briefing at the DP national campaign headquarters on Balintuma Road in Mengo, Kampala city. 

Supreme Court decision

In reaction to the recent Supreme Court ruling barring military courts from trying civilians, acting DP spokesperson Ismail Kiirya said: As DP we urge the government, through the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), to start the process of transferring the files from the military court to the civil courts immediately.

The Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) and the Deputy Spokesperson for Democratic Party Ismail Kiirya speaking at the press conference on Tuesday at Balintuma Road Headquarters.

“There are so many suspects whose cases were meant to be heard ever since Chief Justice Owiny Dollo ruled against trying civilians in military court martial. Everything is now at standstill until these files are transferred to their respective courts,” Kiirya revealed.

He, therefore, asked Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to respect the Supreme Court ruling on the statement he uttered during the celebration of Tarehe Sita in Kyotera, he recalled.

Kainerugaba condemned the ruling calling it very unfortunate and quite unacceptable.

“Your excellency [President Yoweri Museveni], the historical mission of the UPDF which predates the laws being debated today could not have been achieved without a highly disciplined force. This is very unfortunate and quite unacceptable,” he added.

However, in reaction to these utterances, Kiirya said: “This clearly indicates that Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) is fighting the supreme law of the land which brings conflict in the rule of law and freedoms of the people”.

PLU’s march to Parliament to curb corruption

The DP decried street protests on the escalation of corruption in parliament by the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) calling for a review in the Public Order Management Act to harmonise laws on public gatherings, demonstrations and security.

“The ‘partisan’ Police were seen directing, supporting and guarding the protestors instead of arresting and prosecuting them as it has been a norm with the opposition political parties. This creates a scenario of some protestors who are above the law and others below the law which is dangerous for our country in the future, Mutenyo said.