NRM, FDC shun political parties training

PIC: John Baptist Imokola, an NCF staff presenting a paper on communication public speech and presentation during the training in Jinja on Wednesday. (Credit: Jackie Nambogga)

POLITICS

JINJA - The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party leaders have shunned a training aimed at enhancing their capacity to execute their mandate.

The two-day workshop of the National Consultative Forum (NCF) for political parties and political organisations, which started on Thursday at the Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja targeted all political party chairpersons.

It was organised by the Electoral Commission (EC).

Much as NRM and FDC are the main parties in the country, they both shunned the event.

James Watentena, the president general of the Uganda Economic Party, expressed disappointment over the absence of the main political actors.

"We are here in the spirit of promoting Uganda's democracy and political parties but I am disappointed that the two main actors are not around," Watentena said.

According to the Political Parties and Organisation Act 2005, it is the ruling party that chairs the NCF, while the opposition party with the majority legislators in Parliament becomes the vice-chairperson.

Jennifer Angeyo (right) from the Electoral Commission during the training for political party leaders. (Joackie Nambogga)

In this regard, the NCF is chaired by Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, deputised by FDC's Amanya Mushega.

However, both leaders did not show up at the training.

Jennifer Angeyo, who is attached to the legal department at the EC, said the training was part of NCF's strategic plan to build capacities of the party leaders so that they run the forum best.

 Among the topics covered included the political parties' compliance and statutory obligations, as well as communication, public speech and presentation skills, among others.

Much as there are about 29 registered political parties, a few, such as NRM, FDC, Democratic Party, Uganda People's Congress, JEEMA, Conservative Party and Uganda Federal Alliance are known to the public.

Others like Activist Party, Revolutionary People's Party and Popular Peoples Democracy are little known.