Govt wants all parties funded
Mar 09, 2009
THE Government has reversed its opposition to funding political parties that are not represented in Parliament.
By John Odyek
THE Government has reversed its opposition to funding political parties that are not represented in Parliament.
Stephen Tashobya, the chairperson of the legal and parliamentary affairs committee, said he had received communication about the change from the Executive in favour of funding political parties whether they are represented in Parliament or not.
Originally, the Government wanted only the parties represented in Parliament to get State funding.
The committee is scrutinising the Political Parties Funding Bill 2007 that provides for the funding of political parties.
Although the move should please many party leaders, MPs doubt its practicality.
Alex Ndeezi (NRM) criticised the Government, saying it was not serious on the new stance.
“It is a joke. You cannot say all parties are to be funded. What yardstick are they going to use?†he asked.
Peter Nyombi (NRM) feared that the move would cause a rush of people registering parties to receive funds.
“We need to study how the Government plans to do this,†he said.
According to Tashobya, the Attorney General, Dr. Khiddu Makubuya, notified the committee about the Government’s intentions to add the amendments to the Bill as soon as possible.
Peoples’ Development Party president Abed Bwanika and Forum for Integrity in Leadership president Emmanuel Tumusime want all parties funded equally.
They said funding should be based on registration.
Bwanika and Tumusiime argued that restricting funding to the parties represented in Parliament would be unfair.
“We are waiting for the law and then we shall go to court. We have had meetings with government on the matter,†Bwanika said.
Peoples Progressive Party president Bidandi Ssali said: “It is not the fault of some parties that they did not participate in the last general elections to get representatives to Parliament. If we are talking about strengthening parties then all parties registered should be funded.â€
THE Government has reversed its opposition to funding political parties that are not represented in Parliament.
Stephen Tashobya, the chairperson of the legal and parliamentary affairs committee, said he had received communication about the change from the Executive in favour of funding political parties whether they are represented in Parliament or not.
Originally, the Government wanted only the parties represented in Parliament to get State funding.
The committee is scrutinising the Political Parties Funding Bill 2007 that provides for the funding of political parties.
Although the move should please many party leaders, MPs doubt its practicality.
Alex Ndeezi (NRM) criticised the Government, saying it was not serious on the new stance.
“It is a joke. You cannot say all parties are to be funded. What yardstick are they going to use?†he asked.
Peter Nyombi (NRM) feared that the move would cause a rush of people registering parties to receive funds.
“We need to study how the Government plans to do this,†he said.
According to Tashobya, the Attorney General, Dr. Khiddu Makubuya, notified the committee about the Government’s intentions to add the amendments to the Bill as soon as possible.
Peoples’ Development Party president Abed Bwanika and Forum for Integrity in Leadership president Emmanuel Tumusime want all parties funded equally.
They said funding should be based on registration.
Bwanika and Tumusiime argued that restricting funding to the parties represented in Parliament would be unfair.
“We are waiting for the law and then we shall go to court. We have had meetings with government on the matter,†Bwanika said.
Peoples Progressive Party president Bidandi Ssali said: “It is not the fault of some parties that they did not participate in the last general elections to get representatives to Parliament. If we are talking about strengthening parties then all parties registered should be funded.â€