Nambooze, respect multiparty system system
Nov 20, 2010
MUKONO North legislator Betty Nambooze has insisted that she has a right to campaign for a presidential candidate of her choice. She maintains that the Democratic Party (DP) has no right to force her to support the party’s presidential candidate, Norbert Mao.
MUKONO North legislator Betty Nambooze has insisted that she has a right to campaign for a presidential candidate of her choice. She maintains that the Democratic Party (DP) has no right to force her to support the party’s presidential candidate, Norbert Mao.
Instead she has been campaigning for the Forum for Democratic Change candidate, Dr. Kizza Besigye.
It is absurd that a Member of Parliament in modern times, in a civilised society, can argue that she has the right to remain in her party while campaigning for a rival presidential candidate! Nambooze has freedom of choice but her freedom should not infringe on party rules. The key principle in a multiparty system is that personal interests should not undermine the collective aspirations of party members.
This problem is not unique to Nambooze or the DP. After Uganda moved from individual merit to the multiparty system, many have failed to make the required mental shift. Individuals see themselves as bigger than their parties. This is dangerous for Uganda.
Failure to respect systems and structures of governance is the main cause of dictatorship and bad leadership and political turmoil.
If politicians cannot respect party rules, is there any chance that they will respect the Constitution of Uganda if they become leaders? A politician who decides to belong to a party must abide by its principles.
If Nambooze wants to have absolute freedom to support a presidential candidate of her choice, she should not belong to any party. Parties should take firm action on errant members.
Instead she has been campaigning for the Forum for Democratic Change candidate, Dr. Kizza Besigye.
It is absurd that a Member of Parliament in modern times, in a civilised society, can argue that she has the right to remain in her party while campaigning for a rival presidential candidate! Nambooze has freedom of choice but her freedom should not infringe on party rules. The key principle in a multiparty system is that personal interests should not undermine the collective aspirations of party members.
This problem is not unique to Nambooze or the DP. After Uganda moved from individual merit to the multiparty system, many have failed to make the required mental shift. Individuals see themselves as bigger than their parties. This is dangerous for Uganda.
Failure to respect systems and structures of governance is the main cause of dictatorship and bad leadership and political turmoil.
If politicians cannot respect party rules, is there any chance that they will respect the Constitution of Uganda if they become leaders? A politician who decides to belong to a party must abide by its principles.
If Nambooze wants to have absolute freedom to support a presidential candidate of her choice, she should not belong to any party. Parties should take firm action on errant members.