Uganda set for political change

Uganda set for political change

By Will Ross
Kampala

Changes to the political system in Uganda look likely following a proposal by the government's decision-makers that political parties should be allowed to operate freely.

Museveni: Move may help him stay on as president

In Uganda, political parties are severely restricted and an arrangement known as the "Movement" system is in place.

It is designed to be all-inclusive and prevent divisions along ethnic and religious lines, with people competing for office on individual merit and not as party candidates.

It is felt that the system has helped stabilise the country after years of war, but there have been strong calls for more democracy in the country.

After a three-day meeting, the government's decision-making body, the National Executive Committee, has recommended that political parties be free to operate, subject to a referendum next year.

Critics of the government say the proposal is not democratic enough

If implemented, this recommendation would end more than 17 years of severe restrictions on political parties in Uganda.

The NEC, however, called for the Movement system to remain in place.

Power play?

These were also the recommendations of President Yoweri Museveni, who at the meeting stated: "Those who want to experiment again with political parties can do so, alongside the Movement, which should maintain its present identity."

In effect if Uganda does return to multi-party politics the Movement is likely to be transformed into a party even though President Yoweri Museveni seems to consider the word "Party" a rude word.

Critics of the government say the proposal is not democratic enough and suggest those in power are manoeuvring to stay in control of the state machinery, especially the army.

Political parties are generally opposed to the idea of a referendum, which they fear is unlikely to be free and fair, to decide their fate.

"Why subject people's God-given rights to a referendum? No one has a right to debate my rights," said Betty Kamya, spokesperson for the Reform Agenda pressure group.

More than 2,000 Movement delegates are to converge on Kampala on Sunday to decide whether to back the NEC's proposals.

In what is likely to set off heated debate in Uganda, the NEC also recommended that a committee be set up to look into the current two-term limit on the presidency.

Yoweri Museveni's two terms expire in 2006, but there is growing suspicion that he is reluctant to step down.

The official line is that the debate should not be focusing on Museveni¿s third term, but the suitability of a two-term limit for any president.

However in reality the debate is bound to be about Museveni.