MPs question Uganda's democracy

PARLIAMENT|DEMOCRACY|CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

KAMPALA - Parliament yesterday joined the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day of Democracy, with calls on the government to address what some MPs described as injustices and unfairness, which they said have affected Uganda's democracy.

Debating a motion for commemoration of the International Day of Democracy, MPs accused the government of taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to deny Ugandans constitutional rights, such as the right to movement.

Ndorwa East MP Wilfred Niwagaba said: "The right and freedom to associate movement when it comes to enforcement, tends to target those who hold different views and this defeats democracy. It is up to the government to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their political opinions, be treated equally."

The motion to commemorate the International Day of Democracy was tabled by Busiki County MP Paul Akamba.

Parliament resolved that the government reaffirms its commitment to observing democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution and international legal instruments, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presenting the motion, Akamba said as the world confronts the COVID-19 pandemic, democracy is crucial in ensuring the free flow of information in decision making and accountability.

He added that Uganda, being part of the United Nations and a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, is duty-bound to recognise and celebrate the International Day of Democracy as a means of building democracy.

The day provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world and encourages governments to strengthen national programmes devoted to the consolidation and promotion of democracy in their respective countries.

Uganda is governed based on democratic principles enshrined under the political objectives of the national objectives and directive principles of state policy of the 1995 Constitution, which, among others, enjoins the state to encourage and empower the active participation of the people of Uganda and their governance.

"Democracy is very important for the development of any country. The International Day of Democracy comes at a time when Uganda is going through a political season. We should ensure that there is democracy and that people's rights are respected," Busia Municipality MP Geoffrey Macho said.

In 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted the day as the International Day of Democracy and since then, it has been celebrated around the world each year, to promote peace and uphold the principles of democracy.

The House, chaired by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga adopted the motion. She said it will be extracted and sent to Geneva, the home of the Inter Parliamentary Union.