Opposition form ‘The Democratic Alliance’ ahead of 2016 polls
L-R: Political analyst Godber Tumushabe, former vice president Gilbert Bukenya, CP president John Ken Lukyamuzi, Jinja Municipality mayor Mohammed Baswale Kezaala, FDC President Mugisha Muntu and JEEMA president Asuman Basalirwa signing 'The Democratic Alliance' protocol on Wednesday at Hotel Africana in Kampala. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa
Opposition party leaders and the civil society have agreed in principle to form a 'Democratic Alliance' to field a joint candidate ahead of 2016 polls.
The leaders, who met from June 4 to 7 under the auspices of the free and fair elections campaign, agreed to front a joint candidate in a closed door meeting held at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Wednesday.
Present at the meeting was FDC president, Gen Mugisha Muntu, his predecessor Dr Kizza Besigye, Ex- Vice president Prof Gilbert Bukenya, Former DP president Paul Kawanga Semogerere, UFA leader Beti Kamya , CP leader Ken Lukyamuzi, Baswale Kezaala, UPC president Mr Dr Olara Otunnu and JEEMA president Mr Asuman Basalirwa, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Mr Wafula Oguttu, Bishop Zac Niringiye, among others.
In the meeting, the opposition leaders observed that political parties, organisations and individual have independently and on their own not been able to cause the positive change desired to create conditions for equal opportunity and shared responsibility for every Ugandan.
“We pledge to strive together, sparing neither strength nor courage, until we shall declare victory in our struggle against the forces of tyranny, oppression and exploitation that have undermined our progress since independence to date,” read part of the protocol of the Democratic Alliance.
In order to achieve its goals and objectives, The Democratic Alliance has proposed to reduce the number of ministerial positions to 21 and formation of an transitional government, drafting an operating document for the Democratic Alliance government and to get parliamentary approval in the first three months of the transitional government as well as adopting electoral reforms in the first months of the rule to allow for 'free & fair' elections.
It was also proposed that the president of the Democratic Alliance will rule for a single five-year term.
However, NRM has welcomed the alliance saying the party is ready for any challenges.
According to NRM’s deputy spokesperson Mr Ofwono Opondo the opposition alliance is not a threat to NRM party.
"Our achievements can speak for us . The NRM is a common alliance; if there is another alliance that wants to challenge us in the next election, we welcome it," said Mr Ofwono.
