Political camps plan for 2006 By Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda WEEKLY OBSERVER Several political voices are ringing around the country - each pushing for a completely different interest. One voice wants the Constitution amended to enable President Museveni stand for elections in 2006.
Eriya Kategaya Crispus Kiyonga The other voice wants Mr Museveni to respect the 1995 Constitution and retire in 2006, as he pledged in his 2001 election manifesto. Yet another voice [not yet loud enough] wants a special extension of both the life of the Presidency and that of Parliament for three years after 2006. Groups such as the Popular Resistance against Life Presidency, Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO) and Movement Voice, have won both admiration and ridicule for their role in this debate. The move to repeal Article 105 (2) of the Constitution has overshadowed several other fundamental changes proposed to the Constitution, including the return to multiparty democracy. Although some political groups seem more interested in preventing what they claim is a grand scheme to create a life presidency, each is quietly realigning itself ahead of the crucial 2006 general elections. Notwithstanding the possibility of the opposition choosing one candidate, the search for possible candidates within the various political forces is on. The Weekly Observer takes a peep inside some of the groups: Democratic Party DP activists meet every Tuesday at a venue on Buganda Road in Kampala to brainstorm on the future. Participants are not the veteran party leaders. Former National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Corporation Secretary, J.B. Kakooza is often the chair. DP members of Parliament who attend include, Michael Mabikke (Makindye East), Patrick Musisi (Busiro South), Isa Kikungwe (Kyaddondo South) and Wadri Kasiano (Terego). The non-MPs include, Erias Lukwago (lawyer), Joseph Balikuddembe (lawyer), Emmanuel Kalule (Bank of Uganda), and Prof. Joseph Mukiibi (former director of National Agricultural Research Organisation - (NARO). The meetings are without official mandate but participants wield power in the party. "These are normal consultative meetings aimed at formulating strategies and policies to revitalise the party," said Kasiano in an interview on March 11. Kasiano, who is also the chairman of the DP parliamentary caucus, said that the positions agreed on at the meetings would be communicated to the party leadership. Party sources say, the Tuesday meetings have lined up seven potential DP presidential candidates for 2006: 1. Emmanuel Kalule 2. Al-Hajji Nasser Ntege Ssebaggala 3. Prof. Joseph Mukiibi 4. Nobert Mao (MP Gulu Municipality) 5. Richard Otto (Chairman DP, US Chapter) 6. Ssebuliba Mutumba (MP Kawempe South) 7. John Ssebaana Kizito (Kampala Mayor) Dr Ssemogerere has not been floated as a candidate, but there are some indications that he may want to give it another try. The challenge facing DP is to extricate itself from the old stigma of linking it to the Catholic Church and Buganda. Buganda may be a big voting block but it cannot hold sway on its own. Consultative meetings Apart from discussing a possible candidate, the DP has been holding rallies at various venues in member MPs' constituencies. The first took place on February 21 in Busiro South, followed by another in Kawempe South, on February 26. The third took place on March 7 at Kansanga in Makindye East. Two rallies have so far taken place in Kawempe North and Masaka Municipality is expected to hold one soon. To crown it all, a big rally is to be held at the Constitution Square in Kampala soon. By holding rallies disguised as consultative meetings, the DP hopes to avoid a police clampdown. National Resistance Movement The NRM completed registration and was issued with a certificate in November last year. It was expected that after registration, the NRM would hold grassroots elections and a national conference. Instead of holding elections, the NRM is quietly reactivating village, parish and sub-county committees that solicited votes for Museveni in 2001 (Kakuyege). Several NRM supporters are in the villages registering supporters in exercise books. At the Parliament, Sembabule Woman MP, Anifa Kawooya, is also registering legislators in her yellow book. The Movement Voice, a pro-third term group led by Mr Moses Byaruhanga, President Museveni's political assistant, has also organised 'kisanja' dances, the first one in Nakivubo Stadium last month. There is no forum that has discussed potential NRM presidential candidates for the 2006 elections. Reason: Mr Museveni has not indicated that he will go. Discussion on who should stand on the NRM ticket, should Museveni call it quits, is a corridor matter. But that has not stopped potential candidates from taking their positions in the queue. The names being floated: 1. Prof. Gilbert Bukenya (Vice President) 2. Edward Ssekandi Kiwanuka (Speaker of Parliament) 3. Jaberi Bidandi Ssali 4. Crispus Kiyonga (National Political Commissar) 5. Mike Mukula (Minister of State for Health) 6. Amama Mbabazi (Minister of Defence) Although Bidandi fell out with the President, there are Movement people who still think he can win them the 2006 presidential election. He is considered a liberal Muganda and Muslim. That makes him generally acceptable to other areas and religions. He is still the vice chairman of the interim executive of the NRM (organisation). The Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO) is also watching him for the same reasons. PAFO is interested in Bidandi because, like them, he is opposed to lifting the presidential term limit. Bidandi told The Weekly Observer last month that the most important issue at the moment is to build institutions, not to pick candidates. Mr Kiyonga on his part said he had not considered standing for president in 2006. Mr Ssekandi is the other person being considered by both the PAFO and NRM camps. The Speaker denies any links with PAFO. An insider says the challenge facing the NRM is to identify a mechanism of choosing a leader without creating an impression that it is Museveni imposing him on supporters. Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO) PAFO, a caucus of Members of Parliament opposed to lifting presidential term limits, is moving cautiously. The Chairman, Augustine Ruzindana, said in an interview at Parliament, March 4, that his group would be involved in the process of selecting a candidate. "PAFO's aim is to provide a viable alternative leader to President Museveni," Ruzindana said. He said there are many people within PAFO ranks who can successfully run for president. He, however, said that it's not his group alone to decide the viable and acceptable candidate. Ruzindana noted that the candidate must be regionally acceptable, among other considerations. PAFO might actually be more inclined toward a candidate from Buganda or eastern Uganda. That preference could change to western Uganda should Museveni stay on as the next Movement candidate. Possible PAFO candidates 1. Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu 2. Maj. Amanya Mushega 3. Mr Edward Ssekandi 4. Mr Jaberi Bidandi Ssali 5. Mr Eriya Kategaya Watch this space for insights into the other groups. \\\\\\\"Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of someone else.\\\\\\\\\\\\\" Njoki Paul University of Pretoria -------------------------------------------- This service is hosted on the Infocom network http://www.infocom.co.ug
