President’s campaign privileges listed

By Joyce Namutebi
and Cyprian Musoke

PUBLIC service state minister Ssezi Mbaguta on Wednesday presented to Parliament a list of government facilities the President is allowed to use during campaigns.

These are fully facilitated state lodges and state house, the usual transport facilities provided to the President, the usual personal staff attached to the President, the usual security detail and the usual information and communication facilities.

Geoffrey Ekanya and Nandala Mafabi, both FDC, and Michael Ocula demanded that Mbaguta explains what she meant by the “usual” facilities.

Alice Alaso said: “When we made the Act, we wanted to curtail use of government resources to the extent that you do not give the incumbent undue advantage.”

Speaker Edward Ssekandi said the playing field would not be level because Article 106 provides terms and conditions of service of the President.
According to Ssekandi, the President is entitled to his benefits so long as he is still in office, irrespective of the fact that he is a candidate.

He stated that “when we hold elections, Parliament is not dissolved. You continue being an MP and a candidate”.

“The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and the President continues to be President. It’s the dilemma. Maybe you change it to say during elections, MPs cease to be MPs and that the President ceases to be President.”