Party cooperation: The tea party crumbles

Prior to their pulling out, they said in the September 27 press release that the Inter-party Committee is the most appropriate forum to address several national issues raised in its memorandum.

They vowed to follow the implementation of the inter party committee to its logical conclusion. "Issues like Truth and Reconciliation, proper management of economy and natural resources, and the need for a national conference are central to UPC Manifesto," said its leader Ms Miria Obote.

They concluded that Uganda Peoples Congress would continue to participate in the constitutional forum and use it to engage government. But in a weekly briefing at Uganda House, Miria announced last week that UPC had decided to pull out of the inter party dialogue owing to the existing state of affairs in the country.
She said the opposition is under continuous intimidation from the state and that there is lack of transparency in the country.

"In view of the circumstances prevailing in the country, UPC has decided to suspend its participation in the inter party committee with immediate effect until there are real actions to stop harassment of the opposition,'' Miria told journalists at the party's Uganda House headquarters.

She argued that despite the country's return to multi party political system, opposition parties have not been allowed to operate freely and often times they have been denied the right to hold peaceful assemblies and rallies. But if UPC were to go by their word, it would have engaged government by discussing the problem before pulling out of the talks.
Although they noted the committee had not met for long.

The inter-party committee last met in December and the government has not consulted them on any matter since.

The NRM's Secretary General, Amama Mbabazi who represents the NRM on the committee seems to be too busy with his ministerial and other responsibilities at his parent party-NRM-- that he cannot convene any meetings.