MUK don wants law for presidential transition

By Innocent Anguyo and Ann Amito

THE general secretary of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Entrepreneurs League Dr Godfrey Sseruwagi has asked parliament to develop a bill to guide transition of presidential power in the country.

He argues that the Constitution is silent on transfer of power from one president to another adding that it only addresses the issue of continuity of the NRM government.

“Whenever the president is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office of President, the Vice President or Speaker of Parliament or The Chief Justice shall perform those functions until the President is able to perform those functions.” He quoted article 264 of the Constitution as saying.

Sseruwagi, a political science don at Makerere University says a presidential transition Act of parliament could define the process and institution or person to manage the process of transfer of power and authority from an incumbent president to a successor.

In his recently launched book titled “Our greatest fear is the transition of power: an open letter to the president”, Sseruwagi says the Act could further define the structure of provisions and funding to support such a transition.

“For example, funding the orientation and training activities that prepare the President-elect, the vice president and the Presidential appointees taking over the responsibilities after the inauguration,” he says in the book.

By laying down the process of transferring power, the Act, Sseruwagi contends will eliminate fights and conflict that might arise from the confusion of who funds the process.

He adds that, the Act could establish a department that will provide briefings to the oversight committee of parliament in charge of government affairs, to ensure that government institutions are complaint to the provisions of law on transfer of power .

“This way, government properties and sensitive documents, contracts, agreements found in government institutions can be preserved in their integrity and avoid being stolen, damaged or used by the custodians of such items,” Sseruwagi states in the book.

The Act, the soft speaking scholar says could also guarantee the protection of all national resources in the custody of individuals or institutions such as Bank of Uganda (BOU) foreign exchange reserves.

He makes a case for this provision based on history, that during the military coup that ousted Milton Obote from power, it was reported that forex reserves were stolen from BOU by the fleeing military officers of the deposed regime.

“it could establish provisions under which the Presidential Guard Brigade would begin to provide security for the President-elect, and presidential transition team,” he stated.

Her adds that; “It could additionally define when the president-elect submits ( to a defined institution ) the names of the of incoming officials that will access national security briefing and classified information for oath of secrecy and security clearances, to avoid national security gaps and national security decision making during transition,”