From: Leo Odera Omolo
Date: Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 12:34 AM

News Analysis BY Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

A strong team, comprising the representatives of the ruling National Resistance Movement {NRM} and the opposition parties have returned to Kampala, after a two days crucial meeting in search of true democracy, which was held in Accra Ghana

The talks which brought together the NRM, FDC, UPC,CP ,and JEEMA took place between 21st and 24th October,2009,and were intended to help the two sides come up a formal structure to help them discuss ways to advance democracy in their country.

The meeting, organized and sponsored by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, drafted a memorandum, of Understanding {MOU} that is expected to be signed within a month after the delegates have consulted with leaders of their respective parties.

Former President of Ghana, John Kufuor was one of the facilitators at the meeting.

Te dialogue forum, called the Uganda Political Parties Dialogue, is expected to strengthen multiparty democracy and foster national development.

The issues, which dominated the forum include, the need to reinstate presidential term limits, setting up an electoral commission, which is approved by all parties, holding free political rallies, discussions of national issues.

The forum is also expected to promote inter-party tolerance and cooperation so as to ensure good governance and a united and prosperous Uganda.

It will fight all forms of discrimination, promote an independent Parliament, strengthen political parties and encourage free competition among them.

The parties, each represented by three members, agreed to move towards peaceful co-existence and purposeful dialogue, a source in the Uganda capital has disclosed.

The forum is expected to ensure that frequent joint discussions are held between the ruling NRM and the opposition parties on ideals that will deepen multiparty democracy in Uganda, a source told us.

Ghana has a similar forum, and Uganda is expected to learn its experience. Ghana recently, experienced a smooth power-handover from the ruling government of former President John Kufuor to the opposition party led by the now President John Attar Mills, after the ruling party lost in the presidential election.

The Uganda delegates who had traveled to Accra, according to our source in Kampala, include Daudi Magereko, Hippo Steven Tweboza, and Saleh Kamba for NRM, Augustine Ruzindana, Pabale Baguma and another delegate who was only identified as Mukalazi, represented FDC, Siwanje Balinda, Kalinge Omar and Muhamed Katerag represented JEEMA.

The CP had sent Nasuna Kamuli, Stephen Masuha and Sebena, while the UPC had Chris Opoka, John Kanyomozi, and Patrick Mwondha. Deo Njoki represented the DP party.

The delegates have since returned to Kampala and are currently busy filing their reports to their respective party officials .

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
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Subject: UGANDA POLITICAL PARTIES MOVE TO ACCRA, GHANA IN SEARCH OF TRUE DEMOCRACY AND PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THEIR COUNTRY’S POLITICAL PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPMENT.