By Elias Biryabarema
Oct 23, 2003 - Monitor
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KAMPALA - The Uganda Peoples Congress has set conditions for talks on political pluralism with the government team. UPC wants a clear agenda and a neutral person to chair the talks. Dr James Rwanyarare wrote to the National Political Commissar, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, on Monday demanding that before any talks begin, "government must demonstrate its goodwill by stopping harassment of members of the opposition". Rwanyarare is the chairman of UPC's Presidential Policy Commission. Kiyonga announced the government committee last week. It is to consult with opposition groups on the roadmap to political pluralism. Ministers Francis Ayume, Kiyonga, Ruhakana Rugunda, Henry Kajura, Betty Akech and Kidhu Makubuya are on the team, among other Movementist. UPC says the roles of the army and intelligence services, especially toward the opposition, must be spelt out and should conform to the Constitution. UPC also wants government to repeal or amend "constitutional and legal obstacles to the restoration of multiparty democracy in Uganda. In particular articles 67-74 of the Constitution, the Movement Act 1997, the Terrorism Act 2001 and Political Parties and Organisations Act 2002." UPC is also demanding adequate time to prepare before the 2006 general election. "Parties must have adequate time before the general elections slated for 2006 to freely canvass for political support." If the Movement agrees to the terms and comes up with a clear agenda, Rwanyarare says, the next step should be for all stakeholders to agree and appoint a neutral person to chair the consultations. |
� 2003 The Monitor Publications
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