2016 polls: Senior citizens to organise national debate
Members of the National Consultation on Free and Fair Elections Crispy Kaheru (L), Fr Gaetano Batanyenda (C) and Ms Lina Zedriga Waru address journalists in Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY DOMINIC BUKENYA
What you need to know:
The conference, which starts on November 24, is expected to create a package of reforms to be presented before Parliament.
Kampala- A select group of senior citizens are to convene a three-day national conference to debate issues that must be in place to ensure that the 2016 elections are free and fair.
The conveners say the National Consultation on Free and Fair Elections, which will bring Ugandans from across the country and the Diaspora, starts on November 24.
The organisers include Prince Kassim Nakibinge, the titular head of Muslims in Uganda, Archbishop John Baptist Odama, Prof Edward Rugumayo, an ex-minister in the NRM government, Ms Rhoda Kalema, one of the first MPs in post-independence Uganda and Sheikh Obedi Kamulegeya, the chairperson of College of Eminent Sheikhs.
“We believe that after the famous Lancaster Conference of 1961 and the Moshi Conference [of 1979], this will be the most important citizens’ gathering of our time to shape the future of our country,” said Fr Gaetano Batanyenda, an outspoken priest from Kabale Diocese.
The Lancaster Conference preceded independence while the Moshi Conference thrashed a unity government after Idi Amin was overthrown.
The conference will createwhat has been termed as a ‘Citizens Compact’; a package of reforms to be presented to Parliament.
“This compact will be presented to Parliament for enactment into legislation,” Mr Crispy Kaheru, the project coordinator, Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda, said.
Mr Kaheru said support will be drummed up for the package across the country.
President Museveni is expected to open the forum while the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, will close the event slated to be hosted at Hotel Africana.
The national consultation comes just after the conclusion of 14 regional forums on the same topic.
Opposition parties have also demanded electoral reforms.
THE KEY ISSUES
The need to ensure political parties have internal democracy
Competitive constituting of the Electoral Commission and other constitutional commissions
Effective redistribution of power among state agencies and building a strong system of checks and balances.
Role of the military in politics and need to keep armed forces from partisan processes
The importance of a credible and transparent Voters’ Register
The need to adopt rules that prevent the misuse and misappropriation of public funds in Uganda’s elections and other important political processes.
