Parties talks team named
Oct 17, 2003
President Yoweri Museveni yesterday named a 25-member committee to hold consultations with political forces on the political destiny of the country.
By Henry Mukasa
President Yoweri Museveni yesterday named a 25-member committee to hold consultations with political forces on the political destiny of the country.
The announcement was made by National Political Commissar Dr Crispus Kiyonga at a press conference in Kampala.
The committee, which Kiyonga will chair, has 10 ministers, nine MPs and two district chairmen, a Movement historical, an academic and a priest.
Kiyonga said the heart of the consultations is for an agreement with the credible political organisations on “the common good and minimums needed for the country to go forward.â€
Kiyonga told a press conference at his office yesterday that the committee will consult “recognised political groups†and not necessarily carry out dialogue.â€
“There’s no political crisis in the country that needs dialogue. We are not going to settle disputes or mediate. We are going to consult.
Anyone coming for mediation will be in the wrong place,†Kiyonga said.
He said the “recognised†political groups are Reform Agenda, the Democratic Party, the Uganda People’s Congress, the Conservative Party, the National Democrats Forum, The Free Movement and Justice Forum.
The committee has Dr Crispus Kiyonga, the chairman. Members are ministers Henry Kajura (Third deputy Premier and minister of Public Service), Kirunda Kivejinja (presidency), Dr Ruhakana Rugunda (internal affairs), Francis Ayume (Attorney General), Prof. Kiddu Makubuya (education), Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere (local government) and Betty Aketch (security).
It has state ministers Grace Akello (North), Werikhe Kafabusa (communications) and Peter Lokeris (Karamoja).
The MPs are Muruli Mukasa (Nakasongola), Charles Bakkabulindi (Workers), Lt. James Kinobe (Katikamu North), Olive Wonekha (Mbale), Ruth Kavuma (Kalangala), Jessica Eriyo (Adjumani), Suleiman Madada (Baale), Moses Kizige (Bugabula North) and Ogalo Wandera (EALA).
Others on the committee are Gertrude Njuba (historical), Elijah Mushemeza (academician), the Rev. Fr. John Mary Waliggo (UHRC) and the chairpersons of Gulu and Soroti districts, Lt. Col. Walter Ochora and Emily Otekat respectively.
Kiyonga said he had been engaged in covert talks with some of these groups and now that the committee was in place, he would from today make formal talks with the political organisations.
Kiyonga said he did not rule out the possibility of consultations climaxing into a national dialogue at which power sharing could be discussed.
“It’s possible. In talks you don’t rule out anything,†said Kiyonga who was flanked by Movement Director of Information and Public Relations, Ofwono Opondo. Kiyonga said the government had been forced into talks with the political groups because they had been demanding for dialogue which coincided with the Movement’s ideal of seeking harmony.
“There’s a mutuality of interest here,†he said.
He said the consultations must fit in the on going legal process of the constitution review. He said Parliament would take the final decision on the constitutional review process or the population in case there’s a recommendation to amend entrenched provisions like the controversial article 105 which limits the term for the president.
He said the talks will not override the CRC “but once consensus is reached now, it will make the process smoother.â€
He said the committee would start work within two weeks but could be taken to have started today when correspondence will be dispatched to all political groups.
“Legally there are no political parties registered,†he said but most political ‘groups’ had made a commitment to attend. Those that miss the talks, will do so at there own peril, he said.
“There is one that told me that if you continue abusing us we shall not come for talks. Abuse? Jump over the abuse and come to the negotiating table,†he said.
Ofwono explained the distinction between the Movement political system, the National Resistance Movement organisation (NRM-O) and new committee. Most officials are members of the three.
He caused laughter when he said, “One of the political groups to be negotiated with is NRM-O of the Bidandi Ssalis.â€
President Yoweri Museveni yesterday named a 25-member committee to hold consultations with political forces on the political destiny of the country.
The announcement was made by National Political Commissar Dr Crispus Kiyonga at a press conference in Kampala.
The committee, which Kiyonga will chair, has 10 ministers, nine MPs and two district chairmen, a Movement historical, an academic and a priest.
Kiyonga said the heart of the consultations is for an agreement with the credible political organisations on “the common good and minimums needed for the country to go forward.â€
Kiyonga told a press conference at his office yesterday that the committee will consult “recognised political groups†and not necessarily carry out dialogue.â€
“There’s no political crisis in the country that needs dialogue. We are not going to settle disputes or mediate. We are going to consult.
Anyone coming for mediation will be in the wrong place,†Kiyonga said.
He said the “recognised†political groups are Reform Agenda, the Democratic Party, the Uganda People’s Congress, the Conservative Party, the National Democrats Forum, The Free Movement and Justice Forum.
The committee has Dr Crispus Kiyonga, the chairman. Members are ministers Henry Kajura (Third deputy Premier and minister of Public Service), Kirunda Kivejinja (presidency), Dr Ruhakana Rugunda (internal affairs), Francis Ayume (Attorney General), Prof. Kiddu Makubuya (education), Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere (local government) and Betty Aketch (security).
It has state ministers Grace Akello (North), Werikhe Kafabusa (communications) and Peter Lokeris (Karamoja).
The MPs are Muruli Mukasa (Nakasongola), Charles Bakkabulindi (Workers), Lt. James Kinobe (Katikamu North), Olive Wonekha (Mbale), Ruth Kavuma (Kalangala), Jessica Eriyo (Adjumani), Suleiman Madada (Baale), Moses Kizige (Bugabula North) and Ogalo Wandera (EALA).
Others on the committee are Gertrude Njuba (historical), Elijah Mushemeza (academician), the Rev. Fr. John Mary Waliggo (UHRC) and the chairpersons of Gulu and Soroti districts, Lt. Col. Walter Ochora and Emily Otekat respectively.
Kiyonga said he had been engaged in covert talks with some of these groups and now that the committee was in place, he would from today make formal talks with the political organisations.
Kiyonga said he did not rule out the possibility of consultations climaxing into a national dialogue at which power sharing could be discussed.
“It’s possible. In talks you don’t rule out anything,†said Kiyonga who was flanked by Movement Director of Information and Public Relations, Ofwono Opondo. Kiyonga said the government had been forced into talks with the political groups because they had been demanding for dialogue which coincided with the Movement’s ideal of seeking harmony.
“There’s a mutuality of interest here,†he said.
He said the consultations must fit in the on going legal process of the constitution review. He said Parliament would take the final decision on the constitutional review process or the population in case there’s a recommendation to amend entrenched provisions like the controversial article 105 which limits the term for the president.
He said the talks will not override the CRC “but once consensus is reached now, it will make the process smoother.â€
He said the committee would start work within two weeks but could be taken to have started today when correspondence will be dispatched to all political groups.
“Legally there are no political parties registered,†he said but most political ‘groups’ had made a commitment to attend. Those that miss the talks, will do so at there own peril, he said.
“There is one that told me that if you continue abusing us we shall not come for talks. Abuse? Jump over the abuse and come to the negotiating table,†he said.
Ofwono explained the distinction between the Movement political system, the National Resistance Movement organisation (NRM-O) and new committee. Most officials are members of the three.
He caused laughter when he said, “One of the political groups to be negotiated with is NRM-O of the Bidandi Ssalis.â€