----- Original Message ----- 
From: George Okurapa 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 1:45 AM
Subject: Govt. appoints Transition committee


From The Monitor, October 17, 2003

Govt appoints transition team
By Mwanguhya Charles Mpagi 
Oct 17, 2003

      KAMPALA - Government has appointed a committee to discuss the transition to multiparty politics.

      The committee is made up of government officials, representatives of political parties and other pressure groups.

      The National Political Commissar, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, is expected to unveil the committee at a news conference this morning in Kampala.

      The Attorney General, Mr Francis Ayume, is a committee member. 

      Other likely members include ministers Ruhakana Rugunda (Internal Affairs) and Khiddu Makubuya (Education).

      Opposition groups have been demanding a committee to prepare the country for the transition from the Movement to pluralism. 

      Government formally announced plans to free political parties in March this year. 

      The National Conference, the supreme organ of the Movement, also recommended that the NRM turns into a political party. 

      President Yoweri Museveni banned party activity in 1986 after he captured state power following a five-year guerrilla war launched by the NRA/M. 

      Ayume confirmed yesterday at the Cabinet's weekly media briefing at Nakasero that he had received a letter from Kiyonga appointing him a member of the committee. 

      Officials at Kiyonga's office yesterday refused to divulge details about the committee. 

      "Yes, the committee has been appointed but you should be patient until tomorrow [today]. The NPC will address a press conference and you can ask him," Kiyonga's juniors told this reporter.

      However, sources said the committee would comprise at least 24 members. 

      The Monitor learnt that Kiyonga held a consultative meeting with Reform Agenda, a political pressure group at his office at Development House yesterday. 

      But Reform Agenda's Deputy Chairman Sam Njuba said after the meeting that they discussed nothing about the dialogue committee. 

      "We were discussing the preliminary stages, we have not even set up an opposition team to discuss with government?," Njuba said. Meanwhile, Ayume said yesterday that the government's roadmap to pluralism is on course. 

      Ayume said government is still focused on the three avenues provided for in the Constitution to chart the way forward. 

      He cited the referendum due next year, a vote of two thirds of Parliament and a similar vote by all district councils. 

      He said the three avenues would change the political system in the country. 

      The Minister of State for Information, Mr Nsaba Buturo, accused parties of frustrating efforts to return to pluralism. 

      Buturo said the opposition is playing hide and seek to "deny Ugandans what they have been longing for [multi party rule]". 
     


© 2003 The Monitor Publications

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