Besigye asks British PM to support EC reforms
By John Stephen Katende
6th Oct 2010
Dr. Besigye & British PM David Cameron in Birmingham-UK
FDC party President Dr. Kizza Besigye, who is also the IPC’s presidential flag bearer for the 2011 elections, has met British Prime Minister Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP to discuss electoral reforms in Uganda ahead of the 2011 elections.
The two leaders met at the British Conservative Party annual conference that has been taking place in Birmingham; the UK’s second largest city. Also in attendance was the UK’s Minister for Africa Mr. Henry Bellingham and other Conservative Party leaders and MPs.
In a statement seen by Uganda Correspondent, Dr. Besigye confirmed that the independence and competence of the Kiggundu-led Electoral Commission to organise the forthcoming general elections was indeed discussed. “…Our central message was to ask the UK government to urgently and strongly support our demand for an independent and competent EC ahead of the elections”, Besigye said.
The independence and competence of the current EC led by Eng. Badru Kiggundu has been a major cause of concern for opposition parties and other pro-democracy civil society organisations within and outside Uganda.
A new report jointly published by the Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project (AfriMAP) and the Open Society Initiative for East Africa (OSIEA) released on October 5th 2010 said there is widespread opinion that the Kiggundu-led Electoral Commission [EC] is biased. It also said the EC lacks the necessary powers to enable it conduct free and fair elections.
The report also singled out President Yoweri Museveni for specific criticism over his refusal to disband and reform the Kiggundu-led EC. “…There are clear signs that there is lack of political will and commitment by the incumbency to ensure that elections in Uganda are transparent. Evidence shows that continental institutions have urged Uganda to address the issue of electoral law reforms years ago, and yet, it seems their caution have fallen on deaf ears”, said Ozias Tungwarara, the Director of AfriMAP.
The government has however rejected any calls for reforming the present EC, arguing consistently that it was duly re-appointed with parliamentary approval “…while the opposition was sleeping”.
Besides asking the British government to support electoral reforms in Uganda, Dr. Besigye also said as the IPC’s presidential flag bearer for the 2011 elections, he lobbied the British government to support the IPC’s preparations for the elections.
“…I also used my meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron to solicit for technical and material support for our preparations for the elections”, Dr. Besigye said. END. If it’s Monday, it’s Uganda Correspondent. Never miss out again!
