'Do not attack opposition over electoral reforms'

Jun 21, 2014

The RDC of Mbarara has called on NRM supporters not to attack the opposition and civil society over electoral reforms demands.

By Francis Emorut                               

MBARARA - The Mbarara Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Nickson Kaboye, has called upon NRM supporters not to attack the opposition and civil society for advocating for electoral reforms, saying the country needs good laws.

The opposition leaders and civil society have been traversing the countryside demanding for electoral reforms for the 2016 general elections.

One of their demands is disbandment of the Electoral Commission (EC).

Some of their rallies in Mbale, Soroti and Kasese were blocked by the Police and teargas was used to disperse the crowds.

“I know there are people who have misinterpreted the demand by the opposition for electoral reforms as fighting President Museveni and NRM. A bad law is bad for all and a good one is good for all and therefore, let’s embrace electoral reforms for the good of opposition and NRM,” Kaboye said.

“Telling a civil servant to resign before 90 days for example is not bad for NRM and opposition,” he stated.

“I don’t want anyone to think that pressing for electoral reforms is bad,” Kaboye further told participants.

He was speaking at the closure of a two-day western region women in politics conference held at Pelikan Hotel in Mbarara district.

The conference was convened by Forum for Women in Democracy and was aimed at empowering   women economically, socially and politically.

The commissioner advised women to continue agitating for the women’s agenda to advance the economic development of the country.

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Women were called on to continue agitating for the women’s agenda to advance the economic development. PHOTO/Francis Emorut

The Women’s Agenda 2010-2016 spells out areas where women can play a critical role.

The areas include democracy and good governance, economic empowerment, health, education, environment and peace, human security and dignity.

Others are women with special needs, Uganda in the regional and international context, information communication technology and institutional mechanisms for the achievement of gender equality.

He cautioned women against undermining efforts of the female counterparts especially those involved in elective politics.

“I know there are women who have tried to become presidents and role models in society but have been pulled down by fellow women. This is bad instead of you supporting each other,” he said.

He also criticized elite women who have misinterpreted gender as women being equal to men.

“There are those of you who think gender as being gender balance. But gender is simple; you are either a man or a woman.”

Sophie Kyagulanyi, a programme manager of women in politics at Forum for Women in Democracy, advised women in western Uganda to acquaint themselves with the 2016 general elections roadmap and register for a national ID during the ongoing registration exercise that will end in July.

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