No decision was taken on the demand for the roadmap, INSTEAD, the govt. sets july for referendum!!



----- Original Message ----- 
From: George Okurapa 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 2:26 AM
Subject: Referendum for July 2004


From The Monitor, February 25, 2004

Govt sets July for referendum
By Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda
Feb 25, 2004

      KAMPALA - The government will hold another referendum in July to decide which system of government the country should adopt in 2006.

      The decision, however, is out of line with the position of the Constitutional Review Commission.

      Chaired by Prof. Fredrick Ssempebwa, the CRC, among its recommendations, opposed a referendum on political parties.

      According to the Constitution, a referendum on political systems can only be held in the fourth year of Parliament, which begins in July.

      The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hajjat Janat Mukwaya, told Parliament yesterday that the referendum would be held irrespective of the findings of the CRC.

      "The roadmap under Article 74 [of the Constitution] doesn't require that we wait for the Ssempebwa Commission report," Mukwaya said. "Come July, if we get money, we shall go ahead and hold a referendum irrespective of the recommendations." 

      The minister announced the decision while appearing before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee.

      She was in Parliament to defend the Referendum and Other Provisions Bill, 2003, under which a referendum on parties is supposed to be held.

      The Bill was tabled in Parliament at the close of last year and referred to the Legal committee for scrutiny. 

      Mwenge South MP Dora Byamukama chairs the committee.

      Without disclosing the content of the CRC report, Mukwaya admitted that there is only one commissioner, Mr Sam Owori, who recommended that a referendum be held on the system of government.

      Owori and Ssempebwa filed separate minority reports. 

      In his minority report, Ssempebwa opposed the removal of the presidential term limits. 

      Owori opposed a referendum on term limits but recommended one for the change of the political system.

      "I feel insulted if that is the attitude. Parliament has been taken for granted," Ms Byamukama said.

      Mukwaya said that she delivered a copy of the report to Speaker Edward Ssekandi. She advised MPs who need to have a look at the copy to check with the Speaker's office.

      She said copies would also be put in the MPs pigeonholes after March 1.

      MPs Fred Ruhindi (Nakawa), Charles Byaruhanga and Miria Matembe demanded a clear position on the political roadmap. 

      Ruhindi said that there are three options on freeing parties: either by resolutions of district councils, parliamentary approval or by a referendum.

      Mukwaya said that the "government has already decided" on a referendum.

      This statement almost ran her into trouble.

      Oyam South MP Ben Wacha reminded her that the 'government' does not decide but "recommends to Parliament".

      "Yes, we have decided to recommend," Mukwaya said.

      No decision was taken on the demand for the roadmap.
     


© 2004 The Monitor Publications

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