Vote for multiparty

Vote for Multiparty
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Today is the day for the referendum. The Electoral Commission has put out very good question, because it clearly shows you that once you agree to open up the political space you will be able to compete for political power in Uganda.

You form or join a political party purposely to take power and rule Uganda, develop your people and empower them economically and socially.

I urge all the people of Uganda to vote massively for the restoration of political parties. All the peace-loving people, multi-partyists and especially members of the Democratic Party, should vote - Yes for a multi-party system. Put your tick on the picture of the tree. Why do we want a multi-party system in Uganda?

The viable, civilised political system would be a multi-party system.

The multi-party system is an environment that guarantees individual political freedom to the citizens. In such a situation, citizens are capable of forming political organisation (movements, associations) without being harassed by police or any government security operatives. These political groupings or organizations can compete freely for political power peacefully.

The competition lies in presenting and manifesting that a political organisation is serious enough to realize the values people to live together in peace and develop. Such values are basically truth and justice. In a multi- party system everybody should be equal before the constitution.

Our achievements, as a country, out of the bitter Luweero triangle liberation war have been the restoration of the Buganda Kingdom, which was a wonderful and remarkable achievement and it allowed people of various tribes to transact business making Kampala their base.

The second achievement was for President Museveni to allow the people of Uganda to make a constitution in 1995.

Now the third achievement, which the people have been eagerly waiting for since 1986 is for President Museveni to allow the restoration of political parties.

All the political indicators show that the people will vote massively for parties.

If we do not participate massively and urge the people to vote for parties the NRM will remain dominant in the politics of Uganda (as it has been for the last 19 years) and they will dominate the elected Buganda Lukiiko and we shall end up by getting a non-Muganda Katikkiro at Mengo, because the country will continue to be under a one-party system - The Movement.

If we do not vote "YES" for parties in the referendum of July 28, then we should forget uprooting The Movement from power in future. The Kenyan experience is the best lesson for us.

The Democratic Party has been the champion of democracy, individual freedom, human rights (advanced civilisation), the rule of law and multi- party democracy in this country therefore, the top leadership of DP, and other parties, should reconsider their decision of boycotting the referendum.

We did not achieve anything when the Democratic Party boycotted the 1996 Parliamentary elections. Ugandans, and particularly the Democratic Party, should remember that in 1959/ 1960 the Buganda Lukiiko told the Baganda to boycott the registration of voters, because the position of the Kabaka in an independent Uganda had not been made dear.

The DP (under the leadership of the late Ben Kiwanuka) and UNC (under the Chairmanship of the late Joseph Kiwanuka) urged the Baganda to register because independence was coming. The Baganda defied Mengo and registered and the Democratic Party won the March 1961 elections. The party formed government making Ben Kiwanuka the first Prime Minister of Uganda.

Politics thrives on controversy therefore we must face this challenge as tough people who are prepared to lead this country in 2006 and beyond.

Let us go to vote, and vote YES.

The writer is an Elder from Kyaggwe