Besigye Charter Criticised

By Milton Olupot THE National Convention for Democracy (NCD) has criticised former presidential candidate Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye’s Reform Charter, saying it cannot solve the political question in Uganda. In a statement issued by the NCD Speaker, Vincent Ssekabira, over the weekend, they said the charter only addresses the secondary discrepancies and not the real cause for the political problems in the country. “It addresses the installation of mechanisms and institutions for democratic governance yet the real cause for political problems in Uganda lie in the desire to access political power and leadership positions for wrong reasons, for that we have reservations on the charter, Ssekabira said in the statement. He said, “It is apparent that the suggestions themselves contravene and override their motives. Besides it is also important to note that implementing these solutions will require willingness, commitment and determination on the part of the leadership, however this is lacking and inconsistent with the Movement leadership.” NCD also disagreed with the charter’s assertions regarding the National Resistance Movement (NRM) achievements, purging of parties, and that the NRM run against itself in the 2000 referendum. They, however, said that they are yet to be convinced on the achievements of the Movement, but conceded that, the it has managed to achieve a semblance of peace and a reduction in state brutality.” They accused the Movement of failing to remove the major obstacles that caused the pre-Movement political turbulence like the non-restoration of genuine and viable institutions of power sharing. NCD recommended that a truce and reconciliation commission be constituted so that all those who have been part of the Government since 1962 who wish to stand for any elective position should give account of all their activities in government to the commission. They also recommended that a civil tribunal be set up to try paramilitaries and armed groups which caused havoc in Uganda in the past, and that the Movement be disbanded and replaced by a democratically constituted body. Ends