EU delegation to meet NRM, ANT

POLITICS|ELECTION WATCH|EU DELEGATION

KAMPALA - The European Union (EU) delegation is slated to meet the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Addressing journalists after meeting the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leadership at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi an outskirt of Kampala, the head of the EU delegation Ambassador Attilio Pacifici said they intend to meet other political parties to get their views.

Other envoys included; France's Ambassador to Uganda, Jules-Armand Aniambossou, Joris Van Bommel, the Netherlands' charge d'affaire; Italian Ambassador Massimiliano Mazzanti and Daniel Arhem, Sweden's charge d'affaires.

The party officials were led by the party president Patrick Amuriat Oboi. Others included; Geoffrey Ekanya (party treasurer), John Kikonyogo (deputy publicist), Warid Lubega (youth leader), and the party's electoral commission chief, Toterebula Bamwenda.  

"We are also going to have another meeting next week with the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party leader Maj Gen. Mugisha Muntu and his team," Attilio noted.

He stressed that they also intend to meet the NRM party leadership to get their views on various issues as government for the way forward.

During the FDC meeting which lasted for about four, Attilio said they discussed several issues as the country prepares for general elections.

He cited the economic situation in the country, party manifesto, and demographic growth of the country and human rights issues among others.

Kikonyogo said the party raised several issues including the army's interference in the election, independence of the Electoral Commission and whether the election will be fair, and human rights issues.

He said they were worried that LDUs might get involved in the forthcoming elections.

"We want the army to stay out of elections. We want police to be left to manage the election and should work on the orders of the EC," Kikonyogo noted.

He said the delegation promised to meet with the government to have their views and discuss the various issues raised.