Legislators oppose funding all parties

Mar 11, 2009

THE legal and parliamentary affairs committee members have opposed the proposal by the Government to fund all registered political parties, including those not represented in Parliament.

By Milton Olupot

THE legal and parliamentary affairs committee members have opposed the proposal by the Government to fund all registered political parties, including those not represented in Parliament.

The MPs, while meeting the justice and constitutional affairs minister, Prof. Khiddu Makubuya, who is also the Attorney General, disagreed with the proposal seeking to amend the Political Parties and Organisations Bill 2008.

The original Bill provides for government funding of only parties represented in Parliament, but the Government recently gave in after other political party leaders demanded that the Bill should provide for funding of all registered parties.

Makubuya, who was yesterday introducing the amendment to the committee, said: “We have received strong presentations from parties represented in Parliament and those not represented. Government has to listen to people. We agreed that in order for us to encourage genuine democracy, we have to support as many parties as possible.”

He said a political party that successfully registers is entitled to a one-off payment, adding that parties would then be funded based on their numerical strength in Parliament.

Alex Ndeezi (NRM) said: “This is going to be a huge drain on the tax-payers. Any person who wants money can start a party without any political ideology.”

He demanded for the financial implication to accompany the amendment.

Erias Lukwago (DP) said there were briefcase parties that would conform to requirements just to be able to access the funding.

Remegio Achia (NRM) said: “I am reluctant to accept the funding of dormant parties. Parties should demonstrate that they are genuine and based on a political ideology before any funding,” he said.

Committee chairman Stephen Tashobya wondered whether the pressure the party leaders exerted on the Government was in good faith.

“We can only gauge the seriousness of a party by its ability to participate in an election,” he said.

Makubuya, however, said the Government had taken a stand and the MPs had the liberty of rejecting the proposal when the matter comes up for debate in Parliament.
He said there were mechanisms through which the parties would be required to account for the funds.

“You should not look at this as a gold digging exercise. I see many serious people who are looking forward to forming parties. I want to say they are free and we are ready to support them,” he said.

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