EU delegation chief blasts opposition
Nov 08, 2007
THE main opposition parties yesterday came under criticism for boycotting an EU-sponsored workshop on strengthening multi party democracy and electoral reforms.
By Cyprian Musoke
and Madina Tebajjukira
See response from the Opposition below
THE main opposition parties yesterday came under criticism for boycotting an EU-sponsored workshop on strengthening multi party democracy and electoral reforms.
Only representatives of two small political parties, the Forum for Integrity in Leadership and Movement Organisation, attended the one-day conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo, in Kampala.
Conspicuously absent were Forum for Democratic Change, the Democratic Party, the Uganda Peoples Congress, the Conservative Party and JEEMA.
The Head of the EU delegation, Vincent De Visscher, said it was absurd that while they were trying to identify and correct challenges encountered in the past, the main players were not bothered.
“I heard that political parties intended to boycott this democratic conference. This is not about political declarations or political party posturing. It is about discussing the future of political parties in this country,†De Visscher said.
“It is not about confrontation, but addressing problems experienced in the past, to agree on the way forward.â€
The EU observers had listed several flaws during last year’s elections, which needed to be addressed to ensure a fair and transparent process, he pointed out.
Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi criticised the boycott.
“Our friends may not be here, because some of them are stuck in a political jam. Let us hope that when the jam clears, they will join us,†he said.
He noted that there was no perfect democracy anywhere in the world.
“It is a continuous process that can only be consolidated gradually, and good governance requires that leaders account to their electorate.â€
The leader of the Forum for Integrity in Leadership party, Emanuel Tumusiime, castigated older parties for giving the young ones wrong examples.
“This is not about superiority. It is about each one of us bringing a brick to build our democracy,†he said.
In the ensuing debate, Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi and Rubanda West MP Henry Banyenzaki disagreed on challenges of multipartyism.
Nsibambi accused Banyenzaki of often diverting from the Government position for selfish and populist reasons.
“Indiscipline continues to destabilise party cohesion. In the NRM for example, there are members who have continued to defy caucus positions in the plenary,†the premier said.
He called Banyenzaki a very intriguing person. “He can be very engaging but he sometimes creates political lugubriousness,†Nsibambi said to laughter.
Banyenzaki accused Nsibambi of “muzzling†MPs, by threatening them with disciplinary action.
“When members are exercising their Constitutional rights why do you threaten them with disciplinary action?
“Supposing Caucus resolutions were unconstitutional, do you want me to follow them blindly?â€
‘Why we boycotted’ - Opposition
By Raymond Baguma
THE Speaker of Parliament is to blame for the absence of major opposition political parties at an EU-sponsored conference on democracy.
Addressing journalists at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, the parties said they shunned the conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo because Edward Ssekandi invited smaller parties not represented in the House.
“We thought it a conference for political parties in Parliament. It is unfortunate that the Speaker’s actions have derailed this worthy process.
“We hold him responsible for the breakdown of the reform process and condemn his arbitrary actions,†said Prof. Ogenga Latigo, the leader of the opposition in Parliament.
“The Speaker unilaterally invited all political parties, without consulting parties represented in Parliament.
“This was a breach of the principle that this was a parliamentary process. Imagine Nelson Ocheger was there yet he announced that he had dissolved his party.â€
The leader of the Conservative Party, John Ken Lukyamuzi, said: “The Speaker is not reliable and Parliament should move a vote of no confidence in him. Even if I am out of the House, I will campaign that he goes.â€
Salam Musumba of the FDC accused Ssekandi of undermining the growth of parties. The briefing was also attended by officials of the Democratic Party, Uganda Peoples Congress and JEEMA.
and Madina Tebajjukira
See response from the Opposition below
THE main opposition parties yesterday came under criticism for boycotting an EU-sponsored workshop on strengthening multi party democracy and electoral reforms.
Only representatives of two small political parties, the Forum for Integrity in Leadership and Movement Organisation, attended the one-day conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo, in Kampala.
Conspicuously absent were Forum for Democratic Change, the Democratic Party, the Uganda Peoples Congress, the Conservative Party and JEEMA.
The Head of the EU delegation, Vincent De Visscher, said it was absurd that while they were trying to identify and correct challenges encountered in the past, the main players were not bothered.
“I heard that political parties intended to boycott this democratic conference. This is not about political declarations or political party posturing. It is about discussing the future of political parties in this country,†De Visscher said.
“It is not about confrontation, but addressing problems experienced in the past, to agree on the way forward.â€
The EU observers had listed several flaws during last year’s elections, which needed to be addressed to ensure a fair and transparent process, he pointed out.
Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi criticised the boycott.
“Our friends may not be here, because some of them are stuck in a political jam. Let us hope that when the jam clears, they will join us,†he said.
He noted that there was no perfect democracy anywhere in the world.
“It is a continuous process that can only be consolidated gradually, and good governance requires that leaders account to their electorate.â€
The leader of the Forum for Integrity in Leadership party, Emanuel Tumusiime, castigated older parties for giving the young ones wrong examples.
“This is not about superiority. It is about each one of us bringing a brick to build our democracy,†he said.
In the ensuing debate, Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi and Rubanda West MP Henry Banyenzaki disagreed on challenges of multipartyism.
Nsibambi accused Banyenzaki of often diverting from the Government position for selfish and populist reasons.
“Indiscipline continues to destabilise party cohesion. In the NRM for example, there are members who have continued to defy caucus positions in the plenary,†the premier said.
He called Banyenzaki a very intriguing person. “He can be very engaging but he sometimes creates political lugubriousness,†Nsibambi said to laughter.
Banyenzaki accused Nsibambi of “muzzling†MPs, by threatening them with disciplinary action.
“When members are exercising their Constitutional rights why do you threaten them with disciplinary action?
“Supposing Caucus resolutions were unconstitutional, do you want me to follow them blindly?â€
‘Why we boycotted’ - Opposition
By Raymond Baguma
THE Speaker of Parliament is to blame for the absence of major opposition political parties at an EU-sponsored conference on democracy.
Addressing journalists at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, the parties said they shunned the conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo because Edward Ssekandi invited smaller parties not represented in the House.
“We thought it a conference for political parties in Parliament. It is unfortunate that the Speaker’s actions have derailed this worthy process.
“We hold him responsible for the breakdown of the reform process and condemn his arbitrary actions,†said Prof. Ogenga Latigo, the leader of the opposition in Parliament.
“The Speaker unilaterally invited all political parties, without consulting parties represented in Parliament.
“This was a breach of the principle that this was a parliamentary process. Imagine Nelson Ocheger was there yet he announced that he had dissolved his party.â€
The leader of the Conservative Party, John Ken Lukyamuzi, said: “The Speaker is not reliable and Parliament should move a vote of no confidence in him. Even if I am out of the House, I will campaign that he goes.â€
Salam Musumba of the FDC accused Ssekandi of undermining the growth of parties. The briefing was also attended by officials of the Democratic Party, Uganda Peoples Congress and JEEMA.