NRM, FDC debate 2006

Sep 11, 2005

A government delegation led by foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa and a team of FDC leaders have advocated clean political pluralism and fair elections in 2006.

By Eddie Ssejjoba
in Washington DC

A government delegation led by foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa and a team of FDC leaders have advocated clean political pluralism and fair elections in 2006.

During the Thursday debate at the International Republican Institute (IRI) in the US capital, Washington DC, Kutesa, who prefaced his presentation with details of Uganda’s political history, called for “genuine political pluralism”

“Unless we have genuine political pluralism, unless we accept the ethics, principles and issues of democracy, all these amendments we have made in Parliament will have no meaning.

“If we have a genuine political party system, a free, fair and regular system, all this ‘sad’ term, third term and other things will not apply. Funds from outside should therefore ensure there is a genuine political system,” he said.

He said a vibrant press, parliament and an independent judiciary can collapse if “we don’t apply the principles of a true political system”, adding that the government was committed to implementing all these.

Michael Southwick, a former US ambassador to Uganda, moderated the panel discussion on the democratic transition in Uganda, Which Way for Uganda.

Kutesa and parliamentary affairs minister Hope Mwesigye spoke for the government side, while Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu and Salaamu Musumba appeared for FDC.

Guests included US administrators, staffers from the Congress and the Senate, members of the Think Tank, Heritage Foundation, World Bank officials, IMF and members of the State Department.

Muntu said, “I agree with the minister on the political history of our country, and the expressed commitment by government to establish a genuine democracy.”

“If we actually knew that we would work with the government to establish democracy and let people express themselves, when we are accountable, allow a vibrant press, parliament, judiciary – If I was convinced that that would happen, I would just go on my plane and go back home,” Muntu said.

He said if the ideas expressed by the government side would be implemented and if the Movement government would accept defeat in a free and fair election, he would not go on the opposition.

Muntu called for non-military deployment in the coming elections and guaranteed security for the exiled FDC interim leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye .

Muntu also requested for the restructuring of the Electoral Commission to make it an independent institution that would not be ‘manipulated’.

He said NGOs and other civic organisations should be funded to handle civic education. He asked donors to help FDC sensitise the countryside and help build the party.

“We ask the donor community to promise to expand funding to Uganda if the democratic transition succeeds,” he said.
Musumba said fear of the unknown was haunting the opposition.

“History has it that most transitions have failed and our concern is that this time it should not fail because the consequences will not only be bigger than Uganda, but will also be global,” she said.

After the debate, participants shook hands, chatted and took photographs together. Others from the NRM side included ambassadors Edith Ssempala, Richard Kabonero, James Mugume, Adonia Ayebare and NRM general Secretary in the US, Allan Katatumba.

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