Details of NRM NEC meet emerge
Jan 16, 2010
THE National Executive Council (NEC) of the NRM, which met at State House Entebbe this week, could be a <i>fait-accompli</i> for the process of having President Yoweri Museveni’s run for a fourth term.
By Milton Olupot
and Cyprian Musoke
THE National Executive Council (NEC) of the NRM, which met at State House Entebbe this week, could be a ffait-accompli for the process of having President Yoweri Museveni’s run for a fourth term.
NEC has recommended that Museveni be retained as the national chairperson of the party, which means he will be the party’s presidential candidate in the 2011 elections.
Although Dokolo MP Felix Okot Ogong raised a motion opposing the move, it was overwhelmingly rejected and the NEC proposal adopted.
This brings to an end any speculations that Museveni would step down after this term and calms down any succession battles.
According to sources inside NEC, Okot Ogong argued that by recommending Museveni, other interested contenders for the top job were being locked out of the race.
Trade minister Kahinda Otafiire, believed to be leading one of the cliques in the succession battle, reportedly led the assault on Okot Ogong’s motion. Workers MP Sam Lyomoki was also reportedly quick to rubbish Ogong as a joker and a populist seeking media attention.
The party’s Secretary General, Amama Mbabazi, believed to lead another clique, said the party had expressed its appreciation for Museveni’s good leadership and wanted him to continue being the flag bearer.
“That is the wish of the majority of the party members. But the contest is open for any qualified person who is interested in the position. NEC does not decide. It is the National Conference that does,†he said.
Upon the recommendation, Museveni reportedly thanked the delegates for encouraging him to fight on.
The three-day meeting also discussed ways of avoiding party members stand as independent candidates after losing in the primaries.
The meeting recommended that the party’s constitution removes independents as a basis for leadership positions.
The members also approved adult suffrage as the basis for primary elections for parliamentary and local government candidates. However, the presidential candidate, workers, youth and persons with disabilities will be elected through electoral colleges.
The party spokesperson, Mary Okurut, said the members felt the colleges were vulnerable to manipulation. Adult suffrage was considered more transparent and representing the will of the people.
The NRM estimates that the primaries under this system will cost about sh7b. While the candidates for youth and disabled will be elected by their respective caucuses, the party chairman shall be elected by the national delegates’ conference.
The meeting tasked the party’s legal team to draft guidelines on the inclusion of Independent MPs belonging to other political parties into the party primaries.
The current law provides that when MPs cross to other parties, they have to resign their seat and by-elections should be held.
The meeting also resolved that the party will work with independents and members of other political parties who wish to join the NRM. They shall execute memoranda of understanding with the NRM, committing them to remain in NRM during and after the national general elections.
The delegates vowed to resolve internal conflicts and contradictions through the appropriate organs to achieve cohesion and teamwork. It was also proposed that East African Legislative Assembly members subscribing to NRM be absorbed in an expanded NEC.
A source inside the meeting said the most exciting moment was when a bold Angella Kebba, a delegate from Adjumani, accused Museveni of preaching what he does not do.
The President had in his address talked at length against tribalism, which he said was the major reason for people craving for districts.
Kebba reportedly accused the President of appointing largely tribe mates to senior government positions.
“You are talking against tribalism, but you have mainly appointed people from your region to all top government positions,†she was quoted as saying. This reportedly caused excitement as many delegates stamped their feet and clapped.
Museveni vigorously defended himself, saying that he appoints people based on electoral performances, region and their role in the resistance struggle. He noted that some regions had brought down the people from northern Uganda and West-Nile.
A number of delegates accused the Government of selectively creating districts. A source said some delegates from Manafwa district threatened that they would vote for the opposition if their request for a separate district, called Namisimbwa, was not considered.
The meeting also discussed the growing intrigue and internal bickering in the party. Museveni, who was chairing the three-day meeting, warned the party against intrigue and cliques. According to a source, somebody told the President about the fighting between Dorothy Hyuha, the NRM deputy Secretary General, and Emmanuel Dombo, the Bunyole County MP, who accuse each other of sponsoring rival candidates.
The President strongly criticised the formation of cliques in the party. Former minister Capt. Francis Babu had reportedly also told the meeting that some cliques went to the extent of working with the opposition to discredit the party.
Ministers, MPs and LC5s reportedly also accused each other of disrespect and undermining each other. Gen Moses Ali complained that he was branded a non-Ugandan during the primaries in 2006, leading to his failure.
Museveni agreed that some NRM MPs were indisciplined and had voted contrary to the party position in Parliament. He called for strict discipline. He also warned against manipulation of party elections, saying it would not be tolerated.
On corruption, the President repeated that corrupt leaders would be dealt with. The LCV Chairperson Isingiro, Byaruhanga is said to have given an example where his districts procured local contractors who built a complete school at sh400m, while a project of a library, supervised by the central government, cost the same amount.
and Cyprian Musoke
THE National Executive Council (NEC) of the NRM, which met at State House Entebbe this week, could be a ffait-accompli for the process of having President Yoweri Museveni’s run for a fourth term.
NEC has recommended that Museveni be retained as the national chairperson of the party, which means he will be the party’s presidential candidate in the 2011 elections.
Although Dokolo MP Felix Okot Ogong raised a motion opposing the move, it was overwhelmingly rejected and the NEC proposal adopted.
This brings to an end any speculations that Museveni would step down after this term and calms down any succession battles.
According to sources inside NEC, Okot Ogong argued that by recommending Museveni, other interested contenders for the top job were being locked out of the race.
Trade minister Kahinda Otafiire, believed to be leading one of the cliques in the succession battle, reportedly led the assault on Okot Ogong’s motion. Workers MP Sam Lyomoki was also reportedly quick to rubbish Ogong as a joker and a populist seeking media attention.
The party’s Secretary General, Amama Mbabazi, believed to lead another clique, said the party had expressed its appreciation for Museveni’s good leadership and wanted him to continue being the flag bearer.
“That is the wish of the majority of the party members. But the contest is open for any qualified person who is interested in the position. NEC does not decide. It is the National Conference that does,†he said.
Upon the recommendation, Museveni reportedly thanked the delegates for encouraging him to fight on.
The three-day meeting also discussed ways of avoiding party members stand as independent candidates after losing in the primaries.
The meeting recommended that the party’s constitution removes independents as a basis for leadership positions.
The members also approved adult suffrage as the basis for primary elections for parliamentary and local government candidates. However, the presidential candidate, workers, youth and persons with disabilities will be elected through electoral colleges.
The party spokesperson, Mary Okurut, said the members felt the colleges were vulnerable to manipulation. Adult suffrage was considered more transparent and representing the will of the people.
The NRM estimates that the primaries under this system will cost about sh7b. While the candidates for youth and disabled will be elected by their respective caucuses, the party chairman shall be elected by the national delegates’ conference.
The meeting tasked the party’s legal team to draft guidelines on the inclusion of Independent MPs belonging to other political parties into the party primaries.
The current law provides that when MPs cross to other parties, they have to resign their seat and by-elections should be held.
The meeting also resolved that the party will work with independents and members of other political parties who wish to join the NRM. They shall execute memoranda of understanding with the NRM, committing them to remain in NRM during and after the national general elections.
The delegates vowed to resolve internal conflicts and contradictions through the appropriate organs to achieve cohesion and teamwork. It was also proposed that East African Legislative Assembly members subscribing to NRM be absorbed in an expanded NEC.
A source inside the meeting said the most exciting moment was when a bold Angella Kebba, a delegate from Adjumani, accused Museveni of preaching what he does not do.
The President had in his address talked at length against tribalism, which he said was the major reason for people craving for districts.
Kebba reportedly accused the President of appointing largely tribe mates to senior government positions.
“You are talking against tribalism, but you have mainly appointed people from your region to all top government positions,†she was quoted as saying. This reportedly caused excitement as many delegates stamped their feet and clapped.
Museveni vigorously defended himself, saying that he appoints people based on electoral performances, region and their role in the resistance struggle. He noted that some regions had brought down the people from northern Uganda and West-Nile.
A number of delegates accused the Government of selectively creating districts. A source said some delegates from Manafwa district threatened that they would vote for the opposition if their request for a separate district, called Namisimbwa, was not considered.
The meeting also discussed the growing intrigue and internal bickering in the party. Museveni, who was chairing the three-day meeting, warned the party against intrigue and cliques. According to a source, somebody told the President about the fighting between Dorothy Hyuha, the NRM deputy Secretary General, and Emmanuel Dombo, the Bunyole County MP, who accuse each other of sponsoring rival candidates.
The President strongly criticised the formation of cliques in the party. Former minister Capt. Francis Babu had reportedly also told the meeting that some cliques went to the extent of working with the opposition to discredit the party.
Ministers, MPs and LC5s reportedly also accused each other of disrespect and undermining each other. Gen Moses Ali complained that he was branded a non-Ugandan during the primaries in 2006, leading to his failure.
Museveni agreed that some NRM MPs were indisciplined and had voted contrary to the party position in Parliament. He called for strict discipline. He also warned against manipulation of party elections, saying it would not be tolerated.
On corruption, the President repeated that corrupt leaders would be dealt with. The LCV Chairperson Isingiro, Byaruhanga is said to have given an example where his districts procured local contractors who built a complete school at sh400m, while a project of a library, supervised by the central government, cost the same amount.