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WHY
WE DO IT
ELECTION
MONITORING
Uganda's electoral process has since 1991 remained a highly contested
sector of governance. For example in the June 2001 parliamentary
elections, more than 50 percent of those elected were new legislators;
however, Movement supporters remained in control of the legislative
branch.
Observers believed that the 2001 presidential and parliamentary
elections generally reflected the will of the population; however, both
were marred by serious irregularities, particularly in the period
leading up to the elections, such as restrictions on political party
activities, incidents of violence, voter intimidation, and fraud.
A 2000 national referendum on the role of political parties formally
extended the Movement form of government indefinitely and severely
restricted political activities. Incidents of violence, voter
intimidation, and fraud were noticed in the 2006 presidential and
parliamentary elections
EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION IN UGANDA
In Uganda, corruption has created negative impact on the Protection of
Civil and Political Rights. Civil and political rights can only
flourish in Uganda, only if the Rule of Law is observed, the
independence of the judiciary is guaranteed and the national human
rights institutions are effective
Corruption poses a serious development challenge in Uganda. In the
political realm, it has seriously undermined democracy and good
governance. Corruption in elections and in legislative bodies has
reduced accountability and representation in policymaking; corruption
in the judiciary has suspended the rule of law; and corruption in
public administration has resulted in the unequal provision of
services.
It has also created negative effects on Economic & Social
Rights as well as the rights to education, health, adequate standard of
living (including decent shelter, clean water, adequate food and
clothing), social security, employment, just and favourable conditions
of work, etc have been denied.
Corruption in Uganda has had devastating effects on governance and the
electoral Process. Corruption undermines fair-play, justice and equal
opportunities, equity and non-discrimination, which are underlying
principles of human rights.
Corruption has also undermined economic development by increasing the
cost of business through the price of bribes themselves, the management
cost of negotiating with officials, and the risk of breached agreements
or detection.
In Uganda, corruption has generated economic distortions in the public
sector by pulling public investment away from education and into
projects where bribes and kickbacks are more plentiful. Corruption has
lowered compliance with construction, environmental, or other
regulations; reduced the quality of government services; and increased
budgetary pressures on government. Corruption undermines fair-play,
justice and equal opportunities, equity and non-discrimination, which
are underlying principles of human rights.
Corruption problem in Uganda can be addressed through nine action areas
- Law reform
- Public sector pay reform
- Adequate resourcing of
anti-corruption agencies
- Commissions of inquiry
- Combating a culture of impunity
- Strengthening the accountability
regime
- Court awards and compensation
claims
- Addressing corruption in local
government
- Semi-annual anti-corruption
reviews.
WHY THERE IS NEED TO PROMOTE AND
PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS IN UGANDA
Uganda's human rights record deteriorated after Idi Amin seized power
in 1971. To date Uganda continues to experience difficulty in advancing
respect for human rights in matters concerning torture, child labor,
and liberties. Uganda has suffered massive abuse of human rights. Many
innocents Ugandans have lost their lives, been harassed, detained
without trial, tortured or discriminated against, displaced or forced
into exile.
CONFLICT IN THE NORTH
The conflict in the north of the country between the Ugandan People's
Defense Force (UPDF) and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has decimated
the economy, retarded the development of affected areas and led to
numerous gross human rights violations. Since Yoweri Museveni became
president in 1986, more than 1.2 million Ugandans have been displaced
and tens of thousands have been killed. An estimated 20,000 children
have been kidnapped by the LRA for use as child soldiers and slaves
since 1987.
TORTURE
Torture and illegal detention of suspects are common in Uganda. Methods
of torture include suspending suspects tying hands and feet behind the
victim from the ceiling, severe beating and kicking, and attaching
electric wires to the male genitals.
POLITICAL FREEDOM
The arrest of the opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye upon return from
exile in South Africa demonstrated the extent to which Ugandans enjoy
their freedom. In April 2005, two opposition Member of Parliament were
arrested on what are believed to be politically motivated charges.
Ronald Reagan Okumu and Michael Nyeko Ocula are from the Forum for
Democratic Change, that has posed the greatest challenge to the ruling
National Resistance Movement
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
As in many African countries, government agencies continue to impinge
on the freedom of the press in Uganda. In late 2002, the independent
Monitor newspaper was temporarily closed by the army and police.
Journalists from the paper continued to come under attack in 2004, two
of whom were publicly denounced as "rebel collaborators" by a spokesman
for the UPDF. NAFODU will continue to work towards promoting
International Human Rights Instruments like International Human Rights
Instruments Universal Declaration of Human Rights International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and others
THE NEED FOR STRENGTHENING THE
MULTIPARTY POLITICAL SYSTEM IN UGANDA
In February 2006, Ugandans went to the polls to vote in Uganda's first
multiparty-elections in 26 years. The multiparty Political System is a
relatively new concept to many Ugandans who did not witness the
military dictatorship of Idi Amin (1971-1979 and Obote era 1980-1985.
Despite a few positive political developments in Uganda, political
parties and the party system in Uganda still remain relatively
undeveloped. Five major challenges have been identified related to the
reform of political parties:
- Lack of internal democratization
- Inadequate grassroots participation
- New leadership
- Transparency and accountability
Through its multiparty strengthening program, NAFODU offers political
parties the opportunity to strengthen their commitment to good
governance, internal democratization, and civic outreach. It also
affords participants the opportunity to share best practices in the
consolidation of democratic institutions and find allies in the party
renewal process. NAFODU works with Ugandan parties to help them
identify the factors that impede their democratic development, and the
concrete solutions needed to overcome challenges
POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND DISPUTES
All Ugandan political parties must call on their supporters to refrain
from violence in order to have a successful transition to multiparty
politics. The political parties have a duty to prevent violence. An
electoral process is an alternative to violence as it is a means of
achieving governance. It is when an electoral process is perceived as
unfair, unresponsive, or corrupt, that its political legitimacy is
compromised and stakeholders are motivated to go outside the
established norms to achieve their objectives. Electoral conflict and
violence become tactics in political competition. NAFODU will continue
to provide alternative means of resolving political conflicts. NAFODU
has national and District training teams in conflict resolution and
management who have been instrumental as trainers. |
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