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Vow to pass resolutions demanding referendum
At least 20 districts out of 56 support the recent cabinet decision requiring district councils to call for a referendum on term limits.
Fourteen are undecided while two districts, Kampala and Kotido, are outrightly opposed to the cabinet decision. Cabinet last week agreed to, among others, obtain resolutions from at least 28 districts demanding a plebiscite on the controversial ‘third term’ for President Yoweri Museveni.
The Ssempebwa Constitutional Review Commission rejected a referendum on parties and the suggestion that term limits be lifted to allow for a possible life president.
Cabinet however insists that Ugandans are divided on the two issues and the latter should therefore be put to a referendum. Former Foreign Affairs minister James Wapakhabulo and former Attorney General Francis Ayume (both now deceased) early this year advised President Museveni against the referenda saying the vote would serve no legal purpose, and only had “propaganda value”.
Following last week’s cabinet resolution to push through the referenda using the districts, Sunday Monitor sounded out the district chairpersons on whether they supported the cabinet position or not.
Support Cabinet
Rakai district chairman, Mr Vincent Ssemakula said his district would support the resolution. “In fact our people have already asked the president to stand after 2006. Our district has come from nothing to greatness during Museveni’s rule. He has brought NGOs, which have uplifted the lives of people.
Museveni personally brought DANIDA. The road from Kyotera to Mutukula has been tarmacked. We now have a polytechnic and many primary schools,” said Ssemakula.
The LC-V chairman Soroti, Capt. John Emilly Otekat said all district councils in the country will support the cabinet decision. Otekat who is the chairman of the Uganda Local Authorities Association a body, which brings together all district chairpersons, said it will be a very easy task for the districts to ask for a referendum.
Mpigi LC-V chairman, Mr Badru Kabega said they will support the cabinet decision. “We are near the people so it is better it is the districts to call for a referendum. We will support the cabinet resolution,” said Kabega.
Tororo district LC-V chairman, Mr Nuwa Owora said his district will pass the resolution because people should be involved in critical issues.
“People should have the mandate in national issues. If they find someone is still performing well, they should give him the mandate to continue. It is easy to bribe parliament because they are about 300 people representing millions. But it is not easy to bribe districts,” said Owora.
Nakasongola district LC-V chairman, Mr Chris Bagonza said the way he reads the mood, all councillors in his district will back lifting terms limits on the presidency. “Nakasongola is shining because of President Yoweri Museveni,” he said.
Rukungiri district LC-V chairman, Mr Gabriel Kangwagye said he carried out a survey and people in his district want the presidential term limits lifted.
“Why limits on the president only and not MPs and councillors? Power belongs to the people. We are changing to a new political system, so why should the opposition decide who will head the movement party?” mused Kangwagye.
Mubende district LC-V chief, Mr Joseph Kakooza said his councillors are itching to pass a resolution lifting the term limits. “All my councillors want the presidential term limits lifted,” he said.
Mr William Kaija, LC-V chairperson, Kyenjojo, welcomed the cabinet resolution and says it is the right way to go. “As district councils, it is important that we are consulted because we represent the majority of the people at the grass roots,” he said.
He however said that as district councils, they intend to recommend that the matter be determined by a referendum, and not by Parliament.
“If they come to us we shall tell them to let the people decide”.
Kitgum LC-V chairperson, Mr Nahaman Ojwe, says that the decision on the term lifts should be put to a referendum although, after consulting the districts.
“Districts and not parliament should be the ones to decide on this matter, especially this being a very contentious issue. We as districts are on the ground and know what the people want”. Mbale LC-V chairman, Mr Bernard Mujasi said they are ready to support the removal of the term limits.
“As far as we are concerned if you are going to open up political space, then you should not put artificial restrictions to prevent people from choosing whomever they wish to lead them,” he said.
Mujasi pointed to the election of MPs, which he said, is not restricted by term limits. He also drew examples from the UK, a country that does not have term limits although it has enjoyed a long history of democracy.
He said most of those opposed to the term limits are doing so with President Yoweri Museveni in mind. But he argued that the lifting of the presidential term limits should be for posterity and not for the current president.
“This is for the future,” he said. “If any leader is unpopular, he will definitely be voted out of power. Our people are not as inept as some people would want us to believe”.
Lira LC-V chairman, Mr Frank Ojur said that in his home area, lifting the presidential term limits is not a priority. The people in Lira, he said, are more concerned with whether the government is providing enough security for them.
However, as a district leader, he would prefer that lifting the term limits be left to a referendum so as to reflect the aspirations of the people. But he warned against those who want to manipulate the process, especially in Lira district.
“I will strictly monitor, that the decision of the district council, reflects the views of the people, and not their own,” he said.
Luwero district chairman, Hajji Abdul Nadduli said he agrees with the cabinet resolution as it seeks to involve the people in such a major decision.
“In fact I am going to call all district, sub county and parish councillors and ask them to pass a resolution calling for a referendum on third term so that even the last man in the village is involved,” he said, adding that that is what democracy is about. Kiboga deputy LC-V chairman, Mr John Kalungu too was definite.
“We are in full support of the cabinet recommendation and will pass the resolution. Of course we shall consult with the lower councils but as a district, our position is solid,” he said. Kumi LC-V chairman, Ismail Orot said lifting the presidential term limits was already a foregone conclusion.
“The truth is we carried out a survey and found that majority of the people feel that Museveni is still a fitting leader. They have not found anyone else who can replace him,” he said. He rapped the donors for calling on the president not to seek another term. “The Europeans themselves rule without anyone stopping them. Why do they want our president not to rule for many years if the people want him?” he asked.
Bushenyi district LC-V boss, Mr Ndyanabo Longino said: “I would not chase away my wife whom I have had for 30 years. Who is better? What are they after? And let me talk from a selfish point of view, if Museveni went away, would we get another person from the west?” Busia district LC-V chairman, Mr Stephen Wanyama Oundo said: “I have no objection. He can have a third term.”
Suppose his council declines it? “I know most of my councillors are Movementists. There is only one, or two multipartyists,” he said. Mayuge district chairperson, Mrs Joyce Sajjabi said: “I have not known it [this third term issue] well. But I am a Movement kakongoliro (concentrated). But I don’t have a big problem with it – if Museveni stood again.”
Kamwenge district boss, Ms Florence Beyunga said: “I want it lifted.” Kamuli district, acting chairperson, Mr George Kayizi said: “I see no other person who can hold us in the Movement together politically.”
Bundibugyo, Mr Jackson Bambalira merely said: “We are in for it.” Gulu district chairman, Lt. Col. Walter Ochora said: “We in the Movement are saying that we are going through a serious change from Movement to multiparty. Why can’t we be patient? Museveni is going anyway. I see it too immature to get rid of a leader just because we want to get rid of that leader.”
Ochora sits on the Kiyonga committee that government named to discuss with parties the way forward. Parties rejected the talks. “We are concluding our report this week,” he said. “We hope it will be in cabinet.”
Hoima district boss, Mr George Bagonza said: “I have no problem because what I see now is no serious leader emerging. We see too much excitement. When you register 57 parties, it is as if they are looking for employment; if they have no serious issue to make them work together, then I see no seriousness in all of these parties.”
Fearing to be counted
Mukono district chairman, Mr Ddamulira Kyeyune was elusive when contacted Saturday morning. “I can’t say much on that matter. Why should a handful of people decide for the whole country? It must be all Ugandans to make the decision. We all know that parliament is the supreme body concerned with enacting laws, so why should they throw the matter to districts?” mused Kyeyune.
In Adjumani, Mr Nickson Owole said: “I have no comment on that.”
Asked whether this means that he hasn’t taken a stand yet, he still said: “I have no comment on that.”
In Jinja, Mr Fred Gume said: “I have read the proposal, it says the issue be decided by council. If I say my view now, it could jeopardise the decision of the council. You know they can jump onto you.”
Arua district chairman, Mr Richard Serva Andama said: incidentally, we have not made a reference to it. I am undecided.” Mr Louis Opiko, the Moyo district LC-V vice chairman said the move would leave people divided.
“It is better to know the authors of such decisions. Do they do it as individuals or as people with the country at heart? I can only say that if they want the districts to call for a resolution then Moyo will be a divided district,” said Opiko.
Mbarara district LC-V chairman, Mr Fred Kamugira said people should follow the constitution, adding if the constitution says the districts can call for a referendum then that is what should be done?
Ntungamo district LC-V chairman, Mr John Karazarwe could not commit himself on any particular position when contacted Friday afternoon. “Let cabinet first come out and then we see. I do not want to pre-empt myself,” he said.
Ssembabule LC-V chairman, Mr Herman Ssentongo could not commit himself. “We have not received any correspondence from cabinet. If we receive one, a council meeting will be convened and what is resolved in the meeting is what we will go with,” said Ssentongo.
Kasese district LC-V chairman, Mr Dihange Bwambale refused to commit himself and said he is awaiting official communication from government.
“As you know, a district chairperson cannot take decisions independent of the council, but once we are officially informed by cabinet, we shall table it in the council and come up with a decision,” he said.
Kanungu LC-V chairperson, Ms Kasya Josephine said she couldn’t definitely say whether her district would pass or reject a resolution calling for a referendum on term limits. She said it would all be up to the councillors who must take into consideration the fact that the decision would have far reaching impact on the country.
Kisoro LC-V chairman, Mr Philemon Mateke too was non-committal on whether the district will pass the resolution calling for a referendum on third term.
“Call me later in the afternoon; I will be in a position to tell you how Kisoro will proceed,” he said, adding that he was in a meeting in Ntungamo. Kapchorwa LC-V chairman, Nelson Chelimo said they would endorse the cabinet decision only if it reflects the aspirations and wishes of the local people.
“When they bring it here, we shall discuss it as district leaders and also seek the people’s views and what they feel about it before making a decision,” he said.
Masindi LC-V chairman, Mr John Majara welcomed the cabinet’s resolution to take the matter to the district councils and says it would provide a cheaper alternative to the referendum. However he feels that cabinet should have had the courtesy to consult the districts first, before doing so.
“But if it’s passed on to the district, we shall consult the people,” he said.
No way
Kampala Mayor, Mr Ssebaana Kizito, as expected, is against lifting the term limits. He is currently in Canada for a conference with the City of Winnepeg. But his political assistant, Mr Mathias Nsubuga said: “He doesn’t support the third term. He is a democrat and he is very clear on this issue.”
Kotido district LC-V chairman, Mr Adome Lokwii, said they will not support the cabinet resolution unless government makes good on its promises. Lokwii said government has for a long time promised to provide water, electricity and put in place a reasonable road network, but nothing has ever been done.
Government is also yet to finalise provisions for a new district, to be known as Kaabong. “If there is none of that (pledges) then there is no business here,” he said. | 
