NRM, opposition not discussing power-sharing â€" parties
Nov 05, 2009
THE recently negotiated collaboration between the six Ugandan political parties in Accra, Ghana, is not aimed at a power-sharing deal between the opposition and NRM, the parties have said.
By Cyprian Musoke
THE recently negotiated collaboration between the six Ugandan political parties in Accra, Ghana, is not aimed at a power-sharing deal between the opposition and NRM, the parties have said.
In a joint memorandum, the leaders of the different party delegations said the collaboration was aimed at enhancing fairness before and after the 2011 elections.
Representatives of the six parties in Parliament met in Accra from October 21 to 24 to come up with “a formal structure to help them discuss ways to advance democracyâ€.
The forum, called the Uganda Political Parties Dialogue, drafted a memorandum of understanding that is expected to be signed within a month after the delegates have consulted leaders of their parties.
The meeting was organised by The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and facilitated by former Ghanaian President John Kufuor.
“The purpose was to exchange experiences and ideas with our Ghanaian counterparts, to learn about sustainable democracy and development for the good of the nation,†the statement said.
It added that participants agreed to facilitate inter-party dialogue as a basis for achieving sustainable multi-party democracy and socio-economic prosperity for all Ugandans.
The forum came as a result of requests by the leaders of several Ugandan political parties.
The statement was signed by government chief whip Daudi Migereko for NRM, Augustine Ruzindana for FDC, Chris Opoka for UPC, Erias Lukwago for DP, Kalinge Omar for Justice Forum and Elis Grace Ssebina for the Conservative Party.
The issues which dominated the forum included the need to re-instate presidential term limits, holding free political rallies and joint discussions of national issues.
Participants tackled ways to fight discrimination, promote national reconciliation, human rights, the rule of law and fair electoral laws.
The other areas which were discussed are, fostering accountability and transparency, promoting an independent Parliament, strengthening political parties and encouraging free competition.
Ghana has a similar forum from which Uganda is expected to learn.
Ghana recently experienced a smooth power hand-over from the ruling government of Kufuor to the opposition party led by now President John Atta Mills after the ruling party lost in the presidential elections.
THE recently negotiated collaboration between the six Ugandan political parties in Accra, Ghana, is not aimed at a power-sharing deal between the opposition and NRM, the parties have said.
In a joint memorandum, the leaders of the different party delegations said the collaboration was aimed at enhancing fairness before and after the 2011 elections.
Representatives of the six parties in Parliament met in Accra from October 21 to 24 to come up with “a formal structure to help them discuss ways to advance democracyâ€.
The forum, called the Uganda Political Parties Dialogue, drafted a memorandum of understanding that is expected to be signed within a month after the delegates have consulted leaders of their parties.
The meeting was organised by The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and facilitated by former Ghanaian President John Kufuor.
“The purpose was to exchange experiences and ideas with our Ghanaian counterparts, to learn about sustainable democracy and development for the good of the nation,†the statement said.
It added that participants agreed to facilitate inter-party dialogue as a basis for achieving sustainable multi-party democracy and socio-economic prosperity for all Ugandans.
The forum came as a result of requests by the leaders of several Ugandan political parties.
The statement was signed by government chief whip Daudi Migereko for NRM, Augustine Ruzindana for FDC, Chris Opoka for UPC, Erias Lukwago for DP, Kalinge Omar for Justice Forum and Elis Grace Ssebina for the Conservative Party.
The issues which dominated the forum included the need to re-instate presidential term limits, holding free political rallies and joint discussions of national issues.
Participants tackled ways to fight discrimination, promote national reconciliation, human rights, the rule of law and fair electoral laws.
The other areas which were discussed are, fostering accountability and transparency, promoting an independent Parliament, strengthening political parties and encouraging free competition.
Ghana has a similar forum from which Uganda is expected to learn.
Ghana recently experienced a smooth power hand-over from the ruling government of Kufuor to the opposition party led by now President John Atta Mills after the ruling party lost in the presidential elections.