Amama backs opposition on electoral reforms

Former FDC president Kizza Besigye (2ndL) flanked by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago (L) CP leader Ken Lukyamuzi (3rdL) and other Opposition politicians (L) present their electoral reform proposals to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee members last year. file photo

Parliament- Former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi yesterday joined the Opposition in pushing for free and fair elections ahead of the 2016 polls.

The former premier sat silently in the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee meeting handling the proposed constitutional reforms. But speaking to journalists who sought his views on the proposed reforms after the meeting, he said “I think I don’t understand the point very well. But changing the EC’s name may not be a solution, the EC must and is mandated to hold free and fair elections and it must be none partisan as a constitutional role.” Mr Mbabazi is a member of the Legal Committee.

This was the first time Mr Mbabazi was attending the Legal Committee proceedings as a backbencher since his sacking last September. He joined the rest of the MPs hours into the committee deliberations.

But explaining why he came late and why he kept quiet through the proceedings, he said, he received the communication late and that he needed time to internalise the issues “in order not to be caught off guard”.

Mr Mbabazi’s unexpected appearance in a meeting where top Opposition leaders were giving their views on the proposed constitutional reforms thrilled some members.

Opposition table reforms proposals
The Opposition leaders yesterday united in demeaning the proposed Constitutional amendments as a symbolism of “the highest level of arrogance and impunity characterising the ruling party” and insisted that “the Bill [in its current form] is empty and devoid of substance”.

Opposition leaders Dr Kizza Besigye, Gen Mugisha Muntu, Mr Erias Lukwago, Mr Muhammad Kezaala, Mr Ken Lukyamuzi, Mr Asuman Basalirwa and others—all united in pushing for what they called “meaningful reforms” ahead of the 2016 general elections, presenting their proposals before the Parliamentary Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. Uganda People’s Congress however, didn’t attend the meeting.

Dr Besigye and Hajj Lukwago who were on Tuesday besieged in their homes after police claimed they planned to cause “mayhem” in the city were escorted to Parliament but under tight security. There was also heavy deployment at Parliament.

The Opposition leaders who first held a meeting at the Inter-Party Cooperation offices on Katonga Road vowed to push for reforms ahead of the polls.

Before inviting the Opposition legal team led by Mr Wandera Ogalo to present a cocktail of Constitutional amendments, the Democratic Party national chairman, Mr Kezaala read the joint statement before the committee and called for “meaningful reforms” to ensure free and fair elections.

Proposals
On the composition of Parliament, Opposition demanded that any presidential candidate who scores 5 per cent even if he or she loses the elections automatically becomes a Member of Parliament. The proposal is intended to promote peace and stability in the country.

They also want the constitution amended to provide for a deputy President with full authority and mandate of the people.

Mr Lukwago complained that the MPs were handling the proposed Constitutional Amendments Bill like any other Bill and that Ugandans were not consulted in total disregard of the “sanctity” of the Constitution. They said the committee had been turned into a Constitutional Review Commission.

On EC, Mr Ogalo proposed that Article 60 of the Constitution be amended to provide for an independent commission. “There is a fundamental problem which honourable members must address and this is the problem of Electoral Commission. We propose the appointment of EC by the Judicial Service Commission,” Mr Ogalo said.

To achieve certainty on the date of elections, the Opposition also proposed a specific date for elections as the second Monday of January in the year of holding the elections.

They also demanded that the army be removed from Parliament to insulate the House from partisan politics; they also proposed that ministers become ex-official members of Parliament and a Speaker’s panel so that in the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, a member of the panel can chair the House. This is intended to ensure that the work of Parliament is not obstructed.

Some proposals
1 Presidential Term limits be reinstated in the Constitution.
2. Provide for a running mate for the President
3. Voters should be empowered to challenge the presidential results
4. Increase time given to challenge the presidential elections from 10 to 21 days.
5. Supreme Court delivering the judgement after the elections should be revisited.