Fierce debate is raging across the country about whether or not Uganda’s present Electoral Commission is competent  enough to organise free and fair elections in 2011.  Uganda Correspondent’s Political Editor feels therefore that this article, published in one of Uganda’s English dailies, deserves particular debate.  Let the big debate commence!

Like NRM, all Ugandans want free & fair elections

By Margaret Wokuri

The constitutional amendments passed in the recent NRM delegate’s conference show that irrespective of one’s party affiliation, every Ugandan would want to participate in an election that is free and fair.

Fearing manipulations of electoral colleges, the party decided to go for adult suffrage during primaries of most position. At another angle, Prof. Bukenya appealed to his chairperson President Museveni to remain impartial during the ongoing contest for the position of Secretary General.

But, like the NRMO party that has sought fairness during its internal electoral processes, broadly, other Ugandans are equally keen about electoral reforms and an independent electoral commission to guarantee their 2011 vote.

National Alliance for a Free and Fair Election [NAFFE] has started country- side engagements to broaden the audience in the debate about electoral reforms and the Electoral Commission. On June 25, such a discussion was held in St Austin Centre, Mbale. The topic for discussion was, ‘Is the 2011 elections going to be free and fair’.

Below is what was agreed upon by the audience:

1. That we already know that the 2011 elections will not be free and fair because of what has happened.
2. That although this is so, we the citizens of Uganda, are determined and we hereby dedicate ourselves to defend our democratic rights by ensuring that our votes are cast in large numbers and protected by all of us.
3. That to defend our rights, we are determined to assert our rights of self defence against the Kiboko Squad.
4. That we encourage our Inter-Party Cooperation [IPC] leaders to persist in concluding a consensus so that we can have a single flag bearer for the presidency and joint candidates for parliamentary and local government candidates.
5. That we further support our IPC leadership to persist in the struggle to remove Badru Kigunddu as chairman of the EC and its substitution by an all- party agreed commission.
6. That IPC should persist and stand firm and not to boycott the election.
7. That we support the proposal that in order to give strength to the IPC leadership in their fight against Kigunddu’s EC, we should collect signatures on a petition to the Speaker of Parliament demanding the resignation of Kigunddu and his commissioners.
8. That we fully support and mandate NAFFE to continue its work. We also ask NAFFE to take up the issue of public petition against the Kigunddu-led commission as its next assignment.
9. That in order for NAFFE to carry out its mandate, we agree to make a financial contribution so that NAFFE may continue with its work (Shs162, 000 was collected in cash and 1.500,000 made in pledges).

I thank all people who turned up and particularly single out these three. Francis Mafabi, with a sight disability, but very enthusiastic about the struggle for electoral reforms! Nalongo Fazilla Nabuzale (is also a PWD and moves on clutches) but like the biblical widow, gave her all when the call to support NAFEE came up! Finally is Prof. Dan Nabudere; he not only accepted the invitation as guest of honour, but has promised to committee part of his time to do NAFFE work.

The 2011 election provides an opportunity for the country to emerge as a strong democratic country, or transcend into a state of anarchy. I appeal to all peace loving Ugandans to join the call for free and fair elections.

wokuret@yahoo.com

Ms Wokuri is the interim coordinator, National Alliance for a Free and Fair Election