Dr Okulo Epak (Oyam South)
I would like Hon. Tumukunde to remember this statement. �The strategy of the guerilla struggle was to cause maximum chaos and destruction in order to render the government of the day very unpopular�
If that was the primary objective of the guerrilla campaign in Luwero Triangle, then it goes without saying that the NRA/M take absolute responsibility for the destruction of the property and lives in Luwero Triangle and nobody else.
The solution is to the encouragement of creating a responsible civic society who will act as checks and balances through their various social or professional organisations.
Two, making and implementing of a very clear legal instrument on the code of conduct of all political activities. Third, allowing political parties to try their luck so that the electorate may exercise their sovereignty to throw out parties and leaders they do not want. Fourth, using elections and not a referendum.
Death knell for democrats on June 14, 1995 in CABy Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda
Jan 28 - Feb 3, 2004
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On June 14, 1995, the Constituent Assembly (CA) endorsed the continuation of the Movement. 199 delegates out of 287 voted against a return to political pluralism. Dr Paul Ssemogerere (DP) and Ms Cecilia Ogwal had moved a motion pleading for the return of parties. The supporters of parties stormed out of the CA. SSEMUJJU IBRAHIM NGANDA recovered the proceedings of that debate. Key arguments: Dr Paul Ssemogerere (Busiro South) This Article 94 as it stands is the most controversial. It reads: �The political system in this chapter referred to as �Movement� which was in existence immediately before the coming into force of this Constitution shall continue in existence�
By adopting 94 we are also adopting 96 which reads: �during any period, when the Movement is in existence, political parties shall not endorse, sponsor, offer a platform to or in anyway campaign for or against the candidate to win a public election. It is my belief that many of the problems that we have had in this country largely come from the fact that political and civil rights have been abused or violated. And that, therefore, when we are writing a constitution, not for the incumbency, not for those who are around here, it may be magnanimous. Cecilia Ogwal (Lira Municipality) It is important for us to understand that the Movement cannot claim to be democratic. I have myself tried to understand and appreciate the Movement as a political system but I wish to report that I have found the Movement not to be any different from a party like UPC, DP or any other. NRM is a system built around one man and I do not know whether this Assembly will want to risk to build this constitution around a mortal human being. Charles O. Okula (Soroti County) We do not make a constitution taking into account numbers. We know that numbers can be deceptive, today�s majorities might become tomorrow�s minorities. We must not use the UPC scare to deny Ugandans a good constitution. Prof. Apolo Nsibambi (Presidential nominee) There are two issues which if we do not handle carefully, we either wreck this country or we shall swim. The two issues are Multipartyism versus, of course the Movement and the issue of Federalism. Those are cardinal matters and we have to handle them extremely carefully. Now, speaking as a loving critic of the Movement, I would argue it has done a good job. It has led us from chaos, autocracy to what I have called �a state-led democracy� but we have reached a stage where we now want to enter another period, a period of society-led democracy. And if you want to enjoy that period you must open up for contestation of all groups. It is a requirement of entering society-led democracy. There is no short cut to that requirement and here I am speaking with a great deal of authority. This country has fought enough and I would argue that the NRM is strong enough now to compete successfully with other associations. And I am making a passionate appeal to the NRM to allow open contestation because we are fighting unnecessary wars. We might tear the very country we have been building assiduously and so one essential requirement is to forego a referendum on political parties. Maj. Henry Tumukunde - now brigadier - (Rubabo) Some people are saying we want our rights protected. Others are saying, no, by protecting your right you deny us our right. Where were these great advocates of freedom of association when the people of Luwero were dying? Where were these great advocates when opposition members like Sebugwawo were being [thrown] out of Parliament and murdered in cold blood. Where were these advocates when our people were being picked in every corner of our country and being murdered for just taking a different view? People are threatening walk-outs, It is very good that today, when you walk out, you indeed walk out of this hall and we remain free. For us when we had a different view we had to walk to the bush, to exile. Jack Sabiiti (Rukiga) The people of Rukiga have not changed from the report of the Odoki Commission. They demand and they made it very clear that we are wasting time here. That they sent us here to entrench a system, which is best suited for this country and that is the Movement system. Some people demand that we must share the cake. How many times have we shared this cake? The people � the peasants now want to share the cake. Zubair Atamvaku (Arua Municipality) If in nine years the Movement with a superlative army, a superlative cadre has not successfully prepared the people of Uganda to reasonably and rationally pursue multi-party democracy, what guarantee is there that in five years they will succeed. Dr Kiyonga Crispus We have gone through, as a country, calls for innovation and not routine slogans as we hear from the capitals of the North. Secondly, the Movement has shown that we can have a new approach to the management of our affairs and harvest benefits. Thirdly, human rights are relative and not individually qualified. Lastly, referenda are the highest form of involving people in taking a decision affecting their lives. Any democrat and believer in the sovereignty of the people should accept the concept of a referendum to decide the form of political system that Uganda should have. Dr Okulo Epak (Oyam South) I would like Hon. Tumukunde to remember this statement. �The strategy of the guerilla struggle was to cause maximum chaos and destruction in order to render the government of the day very unpopular� If that was the primary objective of the guerrilla campaign in Luwero Triangle, then it goes without saying that the NRA/M take absolute responsibility for the destruction of the property and lives in Luwero Triangle and nobody else. The solution is to the encouragement of creating a responsible civic society who will act as checks and balances through their various social or professional organisations. Two, making and implementing of a very clear legal instrument on the code of conduct of all political activities. Third, allowing political parties to try their luck so that the electorate may exercise their sovereignty to throw out parties and leaders they do not want. Fourth, using elections and not a referendum. Sam Njuba (Kyadondo East) The Movement has become an exclusive club. Like the Communist Party, it is a club of elite. It is seeking permanency, not temporary existence. It no longer believes in open discussion or criticism. It is no longer understanding of other people�s views and opinion and I would like to add it is arrogant. The Movement today is discriminative as I said. It is also sectarian. It is no longer welcoming to the Ugandans. It is not tolerant. Bidandi Ssali (Nakawa) One of my proposed amendments within our caucus (Movement) was to do away with a referendum (on political parties) and when we were debating within ourselves and I got defeated and therefore compromised. The people of Uganda have seen what happened under multipartyism and what has happened under the Movement and this can be attributed more to individuals that were the heads of these political parties and not to the system itself. I would like to add even the ills that are being mentioned by Dr Epak could as well be attributed to leaders within the Movement, as opposed to the Movement as a system per se. The negative effect, the suffering of this country has happened more under the multipartysim than the Movement. If I sat here and took part in a decision that there will be no referendum, we go back to pluralism and by bad luck similar leaders under the multi-party system misuse the system and the people of Uganda experience the same suffering and atrocities, this [Assembly] will be held responsible. Medi Kaggwa (Kawempe South) We have already passed Article 1 which states that all power belongs to the people who shall exercise sovereignty in accordance to this constitution. To me, the above means among other things that, once there is a contentious matter, it is only fair and fitting that the people be consulted. Many delegates have said there is no need for a referendum over a God given right. If the matter before us is of such general concern to the entire citizenry of this country, what is wrong with going to them and saying, �tell us what you want�. As one member has said, they are the referees. |
� 2004 The Monitor Publications
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