The NRM Revolutionary Network (NRN), has called for major electoral reforms, including a presidential electoral college system in which Ugandans would only elect members of parliament, and the MPs would then choose the president.
Addressing journalists on Monday at Kati Kati restaurant, NRN Chairman Jamir Kazibwe said the move aims to reduce the high costs of nationwide campaigns and increase accountability.
“Today we are declaring the beginning of a bold conversation about the future direction of governance, democracy and accountability in Uganda. As the generation that we inherit this country, we refuse to be passive observers,” Kazibwe said.
He explained that under the proposed system, voters would elect MPs who would then vote for the president.
“In the previous election, less than 24% of electors turned up to vote. Why not give the wanainchi the mandate to elect MPs, who can then vote for the president? That will decrease the amount and resources wasted within our country. If our MPs represent our ideas, why don’t we trust them to choose the president on our behalf?” he said.
Kazibwe also questioned the centralization of power within the NRM, calling for more youth involvement in party decision-making.
“We dissociate ourselves from being spectators in the movement, but rather policy and decision makers. If the president is able to select key party positions without consultation, then what is the importance of the national delegates conference? We need to be part of the decision makers, not spectators in the movement,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NRN also challenged the NRM Central Executive Committee’s endorsement of Speaker Anita Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa.
Edgar Stuart Mugisha, a youth leader from Sheema District, said the speaker and her deputy should go through primaries.
“As the National Resistance Movement Revolutionary Network, the NRN, we were deeply perturbed last month when the NRM Central Executive Committee, a group of aristocrats, the privileged few, sat down and endorsed Honourable Anita Among and Thomas Tayebwa for Speaker of Parliament. From the LC1 level to parliamentary level, we have NRM primaries for all elective positions. Why is it that when it comes to Speaker of Parliament, it is a select few who choose for the nation?”
He noted that if the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions are subjected to party primaries, it would bring about a major change because the outcome would truly reflect the will of the people.
“The Member of Parliament is a true representation of the wanainchi, the person at the bottom. The CEC member is not. Empower the Member of Parliament. We have multi-organ dysfunction in the NRM party. The secretariat, parastatals, Youth League and Workers League are suffering because of this. Let us empower the NRM parliamentary caucus to have primaries for Speaker and Deputy Speaker and you will see the change,” he added.
“We are here today because it is my right as a citizen to challenge, to critique, to stand against where tools of government are being used to oppress my right to choose a leader. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker must be subjected to a party primary before we say that the NRM has endorsed.”