Mbabazi defends funding parties
THE ruling party, NRM, has urged Parliament to enact the Political Parties and Organisation Bill into a law.
By Madinah Tebajjukira
THE ruling party, NRM, has urged Parliament to enact the Political Parties and Organisation Bill into a law.
The National Resistance Movement secretary general Amama Mbabazi yesterday told the legal committee, which is currently scrutinising the Bill, that funding political parties would give them the ability to protect national interests and integrity.
“Lack of state funding exposes parties to begging for donor aid, which may compromise their independence. The NRM, therefore, fully supports the Bill as it is and urges Parliament to pass it expeditiously,†Mbabazi said.
Appearing before the committee chaired by Stephen Tashobya (NRM), Mbabazi said because of the new political dispensation, all parties were relatively young and needed nurturing to fulfil democratic principles.
The parties need to build staff for basic activities, carry out research and conduct internal elections at all levels, he explained.
The Bill seeks to finance parties to enable them provide good governance.
Like speakers from other political parties, Mbabazi observed that parties should be funded depending on their strength.
DP secretary general Mathias Nsubuga and FDC vice-president Salaamu Musumba had expressed the same view last month.
THE ruling party, NRM, has urged Parliament to enact the Political Parties and Organisation Bill into a law.
The National Resistance Movement secretary general Amama Mbabazi yesterday told the legal committee, which is currently scrutinising the Bill, that funding political parties would give them the ability to protect national interests and integrity.
“Lack of state funding exposes parties to begging for donor aid, which may compromise their independence. The NRM, therefore, fully supports the Bill as it is and urges Parliament to pass it expeditiously,†Mbabazi said.
Appearing before the committee chaired by Stephen Tashobya (NRM), Mbabazi said because of the new political dispensation, all parties were relatively young and needed nurturing to fulfil democratic principles.
The parties need to build staff for basic activities, carry out research and conduct internal elections at all levels, he explained.
The Bill seeks to finance parties to enable them provide good governance.
Like speakers from other political parties, Mbabazi observed that parties should be funded depending on their strength.
DP secretary general Mathias Nsubuga and FDC vice-president Salaamu Musumba had expressed the same view last month.