
NRM DISTORTING NATIONAL DISPLAY AND UPDATE EXERCISE.
It has come to our attention that the NRMO party, with the full knowledge of the National Electoral Commission, has deliberately scheduled its voter update exercise to run parallel to the National Electoral Commission’s program. This exercise is taking place concurrently with the national process and at the same designated locations.
NRMO agents continue to mislead the public by claiming that the ongoing exercise is exclusively for NRMO members, causing confusion, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, this arrangement grants NRMO agents direct access to both registers, enabling them to compare the two.
We have credible information that NRMO is closely scrutinizing its register against the Electoral Commission’s records. Their intention is to manipulate this information to remove names from the Electoral Commission register if those individuals have not registered or do not appear in the NRMO’s records.
Furthermore, the voter registration process is excessively slow and tedious requiring new voters to fil a form then take it to the LC1 Chairperson, and then to the GISO for verification. We all know the work of the GISOs, PISOs, DISOs and RISOs and whatever name you may call then is to Mobilize for NRM and intimidate opponents of the regime. This costly process is meant to discourage new voters who may not be supporters of NRM. The staff of EC are few on the ground and have to move from station to station with register. This is further complicated by old and inefficient equipment that keeps breaking down.
According to the roadmap, the National Electoral Commission is set to conclude the voter update exercise on February 10, 2025. However, we believe that voters have not received sufficient education about the process, making the turn up very low.
We, therefore, demand that the National Electoral Commission take the following actions:
- Extend the voter registration and update exercise by one month.
- Procure new equipment or refurbish the existing one.
- As the regulatory body for political parties, immediately halt the NRMO’s voter update and registration exercise until the National Electoral Commission’s process is completed to prevent further confusion.
FRIDAY 31ST RULING OF THE SUPREME COURT OF UGANDA
The Forum for Democratic Change welcomes the landmark ruling of the Supreme Court of Uganda on Friday, January 31st, regarding the jurisdiction of the General Court Martial, Division Court Martial, and the Court Martial Appeal Court. We commend the Hon. Chief Justice of Uganda, Alfonse Owinyi Dolo, and the Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court for upholding justice, reaffirming the rule of law, and strengthening the independence of the judiciary.
We also applaud Hon. Michael Kabaziguruka and his legal team for courageously pursuing justice on behalf of all Ugandans who have faced trial before a ‘court’ which, as affirmed by the ruling, has neither the competence nor the authority to try civilians.
However, we are deeply concerned that despite this significant legal victory, Mr. Museveni, as head of the Executive, has vowed not to implement the Supreme Court’s judgment nullifying the trial of civilians by military courts. This blatant defiance by a leader who swore to uphold and protect the Constitution not only undermines the doctrine of the Separation of Powers but also constitutes a direct assault on justice and the rule of law. In effect, it amounts to an overthrow of the very Constitution he once championed and has repeatedly sworn to uphold with every oath of office he has taken.
Mr. Museveni must know that civilian authority supersedes military authority, as enshrined in the Constitution. His refusal to respect this fundamental principle sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the democratic foundation of our nation.
If he fails to respect this ruling and continues to defy the courts, Ugandans will be left with no option but to wake up and do what the Constitution commands them to do.
THE ONGOING CONFLICT IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC)
We are concerned about the recent developments in our neighboring country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The escalating conflict within the country poses a serious threat to regional security and stability.
Of particular concern is the ongoing blame game among regional leaders, with President Félix Tshisekedi accusing some heads of state of sponsoring the M23 rebels against his government. This raises several critical questions:
- The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) are currently deployed in the DRC under operation code named Shujaa, ostensibly to combat the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels. However, the real scope and objectives of this mission remain unclear.
- Ugandas need to be reminded of the order by the International Criminal Court for Government of Uganda to pay DRC $325m war reparations. The country is still burdened with paying this liability to the DRC following a previous military intervention justified by similar excuses. Have we not learned from past mistakes?
- The Ugandan government is also actively constructing roads in the DRC. This further raises concerns about what the real interest is in these infrastructure projects.
We strongly condemn the recent attack on the Ugandan Embassy in Kinshasha by angry protestors. This unfortunate incident further shows the possible tensions and hostility, which could further strain Uganda-DRC relations. The Ugandan government must critically assess its involvement in the DRC to avoid fueling more resentment and diplomatic fallout.
On that note therefore, we call upon Mr. Museveni to immediately withdraw Ugandan troops from the DRC and focus on their primary duty of protecting our borders. Uganda must not repeat the mistakes of the past that led to costly reparations and strained diplomatic relations.
We further urge the DRC government to engage in dialogue with the M23 rebels in order to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
One Uganda One People!
HON. ROBERT FRANCO CENTINARY
FDC VICE CHAIRPERSON