Highs, lows of Uganda's political scene in 2019

YEAR ENDER     POLITICS

January 05: Kasese FDC boss suspends deputy
Kasese Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) chairperson Saulo Maate suspends his deputy, Catherine Muhindo, for co-chairing a stakeholders' development meeting convened by Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho aka Gen. Salim Saleh, the national coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation.

Salim Saleh unites Kasese NRM, FDC
The main rival political parties in Kasese district, western Uganda resolved to shelve there bickering for the sake of rebranding the district and harnessing the huge investment potential of the area. They made the resolution during a day-long meeting brokered by the national chief co-ordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho aka Salim Saleh.

Gen Salim Saleh

 
February 17: NRM top organ endorses lining up in party primaries

The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), while meeting at Chobe Safari Lodge in Nwoya district, endorsed the proposed amendment in the party Constitution to have party primaries conducted by lining up.

February 19: CEC endorses Museveni for 2021

The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) adopted a resolution recommending President Yoweri Museveni to be the party's flag-bearer in the 2021 presidential elections.


February 23: Otto quits FDC

Aruu South MP Samuel Odonga Otto, quit the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party. He intends to stand as an independent candidate in the 2021 elections. Ottto announced his departure from the FDC camp during a thanksgiving service after surviving a road accident at Katugo, Nakasongola on December 28, 2018 while driving from Gulu to Kampala.

March 02: Besigye mobbed

Former presidential flag-bearer for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, Dr Kizza Besigye was attacked by an angry mob at Bulange Mengo during a radio talkshow who claimed that he had failed to oust President Yoweri Museveni.

March 13: EC, Media Partner

The Electoral Commission (EC) says it will partner with the media in order to deliver credible elections in 2021.

This was during the EC's visit to Vision Group offices in Kampala.

March 14: NRM MPs warned against leaking secrets

The Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa, warned National Resistance Movement members against issuing statements or documents pertaining to the deliberations of the caucus to the media and public without permission.

March 17: NRM legislators endorse Museveni

The NRM parliamentary caucus unanimously supports the Chobe Resolution by the party's Central Executive Committee to have the national party chairperson, President Yoweri Museveni, continue leading the party and state.

April 08: Museveni accepts endorsement

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party chairperson, President Yoweri Museveni, spoke out on the proposal to be the NRM flag-bearer in the 2021 Presidential elections, saying he was still able to serve.

March 19: NRM supports lining up to vote

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus supports lining up as a mode of election for internal elections and primaries.

April 03: NRM rejects house leader bill

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus voted to throw out the administration of Parliament Bill, 2019, saying it weakens the essence of a multiparty dispensation.

National Resistance Movement's Rogers Mulindwa interacting with the Generation Se7en members during the launch of the group in November. The group was inspired by the seven great achievements of President Yoweri Museveni and to counter Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulyani's People Power pressure group

 
April 04: DP unites for 2021

The Democratic Party (DP), together with the Social Democratic Party, People's Development Party and Truth for Justice, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, bringing them to work together under the DP bloc in the 2021 general elections.

April 08, 2019: Opposition should consult - FDC

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party advised fellow Opposition players against taking decisions on the coalition to challenge the National Resistance

Movement in the 2021 general elections in boardrooms, but move out and consult Ugandans.

May 02: EC trains reporters

As Ugandans wait for the 2021 general elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) reveals plans to equip journalists with reporting skills to contribute to a free and fair electoral process.

May 06: Opposition registers candidates

The party president of Justice Forum (JEEMA), Asuman Basalirwa, announced that the party's internal Electoral commission has started receiving applications from aspiring candidates.

May 07: Police blocks FDC

The Police and army blocked a meeting, which the former presidential contender, Col (rtd) Kizza Besigye, was expected to address in Lugazi town.

May 08: Besigye, Bobi Wine agree to keep peace

Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) counterpart Dr. Kizza Besigye committed themselves to not attack each other, but work in harmony.

May 14: Bunyoro endorses Museveni for 2021

Bunyoro leaders from the districts of Buliisa, Hoima, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kibaale, Kikuube, Kiryandongo and Masindi endorsed

President Yoweri Museveni as the National Resistance Movement sole candidate for the 2021 presidential elections.

May 18: Kabarole FDC leaders defect

The entire Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) executive in Kabarole district cross to the newly formed Alliance for National Transformation, claiming that FDC lacks focus.

Uganda People's Congress party president James Akena, Democratic Party president Norbert Mao and Forum for Democratic Change party president Patrick Amuriat during the national dialogue political parties and constitutionalism in October

May 20: Political parties to receive sh35b

Political parties under the Interparty Organisation for Dialogue agreed that the Government should increase there public funding from sh10b to sh35b to strengthen the role of viable political parties in enhancing democratic governance and reduce reliance on donations.

May 20: Mao blasts FDC

The Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) summit meeting was delayed for 10 hours as two of it's principals were nowhere to be seen.

May 22: Muntu unveils new party

Gen. Mugisha Muntu launches the Alliance for National Transformation party at Kampala Serena Hotel.

The new party promised to be a breath of fresh air in the politically toxic terrain that has characterised the country since independence.

May 29: Mao, Muntu, Bobi Wine fire up DP reunion in Jinja

Democratic Party (DP) president Norbert Mao, Mugisha Muntu of Alliance for National Transformation and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, hint on a plan to field one presidential candidate during the 2021 polls.

June 05

FDC, Latigo fight over post

FDC party's top brass wanted Latigo, a former Leader of Opposition in Parliament, out of the Pan African Parliament, over hobnobbing with Gen. Mugisha Muntu's formed political party, the Alliance for National Transformation.

June 06: State of the Nation Address

President Yoweri Museveni delivered his State of the Nation Address to Parliament, as provided for under Article 101 of the Constitution.

June 10: FDC gets tough on Prof. Latigo

The Forum for Democratic Change reiterated that it would not tolerate any acts of indiscipline in the party, Referring to the standoff between the party and it's first Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo.


June 17: BOU under scrutiny

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) asks the Governor and Bank of Uganda (BOU), to explain the saga surrounding the bank this was after allegations that BOU officials had printed excess money.

June 24: FDC quizzes Landlord Tenant Bill

Forum for Democratic Change party (FDC) cautions the Government and Parliament against criminalising landlords under the Landlord Tenant Bill.

June 25: Donor rejects FDC accountability

The Forum for Democratic Change ran into trouble with one of it's principle donors, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, after it's secretariat submitted accountability for sh18m replete with a slew of forgeries.

June 26: NRM is here to stay — Kigongo

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) vice-chairperson, Moses Kigongo warned those sabotaging government programmes with a view that it would soon collapse, saying the NRM was here to stay.

August 01: Lord Mayor to remain head of KCCA

Parliament rejected a proposal by the Government to make Kampala minister the political head of Kampala city. In the Kampala Capital City Authority Amendment Bill, the Government had proposed that the responsibility of being the political head of the city be moved from the Lord Mayor to the Minister for Kampala.

August 02: Commercialisation of politics

Civil society activists, under Alliance for Finance Monitoring asked political and religious leaders, civil society groups and all the citizens of Uganda to fight the commercialisation of politics.

Wakiso NRM leaders to unite

Wakiso district NRM leaders resolved to unite and work together in order to take up the district leadership in the 2021 general election.

August 14: Teso leaders on Constitution

The people of Katakwi district said the continuous amendment of the Constitution, which they think is aimed at favouring a few, was one of the reasons for people's anger with the Government.

September 14: UN guides EC ahead of 2021 elections

The United Nations Development Programme pledged to support the Electoral Commission (EC) ahead of the 2021 general elections.

September 18: FDC calls for voting by thumbprints

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) proposed that voting during national elections be restricted to the use of only thumbprints for both literate and illiterate Ugandans.
 
October 09: FDC declares action against Museveni

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) launched a campaign which they said would ensure President Yoweri Museveni's name does not appear on the ballot paper in 2021. The party president, Patrick Amuriat, announced the move, during the FDC party's parallel celebrations to mark the 57^th independence anniversary.


October 13: EC names returning officers for 2021

The Electoral Commission gazetted the newly appointed returning officers for the 124 districts that will play a key role in the 2021 general election.

Electoral Commission boss Simon Byabakama

October 24: Besigye raps govt over murders

Besigye says the regime had institutionalised a reign of terror, committing crimes against humanity, subjecting the citizens to inhuman degrading treatment.

October 27: Mafabi warns Mao over IPOD

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) secretary-general, Nandala Mafabi, warns Democratic Party (DP) president general, Norbert Mao that any continued leadership of Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue by DP was illegal.

November 05: Police releases 57 FDC supporters

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) secured the release of it's 57 supporters from Kira Police division headquarters.

EC bans cameras

The Electoral Commission (EC) defended the proposal to ban cameras at polling stations. Justice Simon Byabakama, the EC chairperson, argued that the move is aimed at protecting voters from any potential harm.

November 06: NRM, FDC reject administration bill

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) rarely sing from the same hymn book.

However, the top echelon of the two parties marshalled forces to oppose the

Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which came up for the second reading before the House.

November 07: NRM youth form pressure group

Ahead of the 2021 general elections, a new group, dubbed, Generation Seven (G7), was formed by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaning youth. The group was formed with a view of countering People Power, a political pressure group, led by Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.

November 12: Lumumba, Kampala NRM leaders start peace talks

In a bid to defuse rising tension within the party structures, the secretary general of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Justine Kasule Lumumba, met Kampala leaders for peace talks.

Besigye, accompanied by some opposition leaders announces a campaign to collect over two million signatures to petition the ICC prosecutor to indict President Yoweri Museveni.

Dr. Kizza Besigye

 
November 21: Political parties don't account for funds - report

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) report on Uganda, which was launched by the Vice-President, Edward Ssekandi, faulted Ugandan political parties for failure to account for funds and non-disclosure of sources of funding.

National voters register launched

The national voters' register is flagged off at the Electoral Commission (EC) head offices in Kampala.

December 08: Engineers urged to joint politics

Leaders from the engineering fraternity challenged professionals to actively take part in elective politics as the country heads to the 2021 general elections.

December 09: Police set tough terms for FDC

The Police set tough terms for the planned 15th-anniversary celebrations of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party.

December 11: Bobi Wine writes to EC over presidential consultations

Presidential hopeful Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, wrote to the Electoral Commission (EC), notifying them of his intention to start conducting nationwide consultations ahead of the 2021 elections.

Robert Kyagulyani aka Bobi Wine