SUCCESSION: MAYOMBO'S BROTHER, MATEMBE WARN M7 ON FIFTH TERM

SUCCESSION: Mayombo’s Brother, Matembe Warn M7 On Fifth Term

By Muhame Giles
28th March 2012

A new team of influential activists in Uganda is working round the clock to block President Yoweri Museveni’s quest for another term in office after 2016.

The activists are led by departed UPDF officer Brig. Noble Mayombo’s brother Okwir Rabwoni, former Integrity Minister Miria Matembe and retired Kampala Bishop Zac Niringiye.

They are wooing support for their initiative under Article 1 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda which states that "All power belongs to the people who shall exercise their sovereignty in accordance with this Constitution."

The new army of activists has so far stormed Makerere University, Uganda Christian University (UCU) among other institutions, calling upon students to join a new movement aimed at frustrating Museveni’s fifth term in office.

Under their umbrella organisation Centre for Constitutional Governance (CGV), the brave activists also insist that Presidential term limits must be restored not later than September 30 to avoid political chaos in future and life presidency.

In a statement read by Niringiye on Monday, the activists said as Ugandans celebrate 50 years of independence, this is the right time to reclaim the solemn declaration that "Power belongs to the People."

Niringiye said now is the time to make real the promise of democracy and transformation embedded in that January 1986 statement.

“After 50 years of independence, now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of social injustice to the solid rock of human dignity,” the statement read.

“When Museveni stood on the precincts of Parliament in January 1986 and declared "…the problem of Africa and Uganda in particular is leaders who overstay in power," Ugandans cheered what they thought was a genuine fundamental change,” said Niringiye.

“So, when the men and women of the Constituent Assembly installed term limits to the presidency in Article 105(2) of the Constitution they knew that they were building a legacy of peaceful transfer of presidential power and authority. It was thus one of the darkest days in our history when the 7th Parliament removed presidential term limits on September 30th, 2005. At a single stroke of the pen, we returned to the politics of survival that has seen the suffering and death of millions of Ugandans,” he roared.

The activists, supported by lawyer Sarah Bireete, have as well launched the constitutional literacy campaign.

The programme is aimed at promoting constitutional governance in Uganda and the region through continuous civic education and sensitization on constitutional literacy; its relevance to good governance and in its role in East Africa’s political integration.

Proposed activities under this programme include: simplifying and translating the constitution into eight major local languages and disseminating it; constitutional literacy campaign; mobilization and sensitization on constitutional rights and obligations and advocating for harmonization of policies on governance within the region, public dialogue for interface between government agencies and the citizens and training of trainers (TOT) for massive sensitization on constitutional rights and obligations.

By sensitizing the public, the activists are optimistic Museveni will face stiff resistance in his bid to contest for Presidency in 2016.

Rabwoni and colleagues also hope the campaign will enable citizens acquire more knowledgeable about their constitutional rights and responsibilities and empower them to seek respect and restoration of cardinal constitutional principles.

The activists intend to empower citizens with means and avenues for expressing their needs and concerns and for holding political leaders accountable.

“We hope that this programme will enable Ugandans to hold their leaders accountable guided by the constitution and most importantly will stand up and defend the constitution against any kind of abuse,” says Niringiye.

SECURITY FORCES

In a related development, Niringiye has appealed to Uganda’s security forces to support the campaign aimed at restoring Presidential term limits by September 30 2012.

Niringiye warns Uganda could slip into chaos if Museveni does not retire peacefully after the end of this term.

“In previous campaigns, segments of our security forces have been deployed to disrupt the civic activities of our citizens. Your actions in support of this campaign will be the ultimate test of your patriotism and commitment to serve your country,” says Niringiye.

“We know you have your frustrations including poor remuneration, the lack of descent housing and the nightmare of retiring into a life of neglect short of dignity.”