Parties funding Bill challenged in court
Apr 14, 2008
TWO politicians have petitioned the Constitutional Court, seeking to block the enactment the Political Parties Organisation Amendment Bill.
By Hillary Nsambu
TWO politicians have petitioned the Constitutional Court, seeking to block the enactment the Political Parties Organisation Amendment Bill.
Charles Lwanga-Bbaale of the National People’s Organisation and Apollo Nyabongo of the Movement Volunteers Mobilisers Organisation said the Bill, if passed, would violate their constitutional rights.
They said the Bill discriminated against parties not represented in Parliament.
Whereas there are over 30 registered political parties, only the NRM, FDC, DP, UPC, JEMA and CP have representatives in Parliament.
Lwanga-Bbaale and Nyabongo, who filed their petition last Thursday, said parties without MPs would be denied government funding.
The petitioners suggested the following clause be included in the Bill.
“The Government shall contribute funds or other public sources towards all duly registered political parties and organisations across the board, but also maintain the notion of additional resources to those parties or organisations with representation in Parliament, basing on their numerical strength.â€
The petition continued: “The State has a duty to nurture and develop political parties and organisations, more so in a young and growing democracy in Uganda.â€
The petitioners said if parties were left to solicit funds from donors, it would compromise their national interest, integrity and independence.
TWO politicians have petitioned the Constitutional Court, seeking to block the enactment the Political Parties Organisation Amendment Bill.
Charles Lwanga-Bbaale of the National People’s Organisation and Apollo Nyabongo of the Movement Volunteers Mobilisers Organisation said the Bill, if passed, would violate their constitutional rights.
They said the Bill discriminated against parties not represented in Parliament.
Whereas there are over 30 registered political parties, only the NRM, FDC, DP, UPC, JEMA and CP have representatives in Parliament.
Lwanga-Bbaale and Nyabongo, who filed their petition last Thursday, said parties without MPs would be denied government funding.
The petitioners suggested the following clause be included in the Bill.
“The Government shall contribute funds or other public sources towards all duly registered political parties and organisations across the board, but also maintain the notion of additional resources to those parties or organisations with representation in Parliament, basing on their numerical strength.â€
The petition continued: “The State has a duty to nurture and develop political parties and organisations, more so in a young and growing democracy in Uganda.â€
The petitioners said if parties were left to solicit funds from donors, it would compromise their national interest, integrity and independence.