NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON COBNSTITUTIONALISM 2014

NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON CONSTITUTIONALISM IN UGANDA – 2014

Wednesday 17th Dec 2014, Katonga Hall, Hotel Africana, Kampala
 
Press Statement
 
Background:
The 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda has been
amended three times since its promulgation as follows:
• The Constitution Amendment Act, 2000, Act No.13 of 2000
which commenced on 1st September, 2000
• The Constitution Amendment Act, 2005, Act N0.11 of 2005
which commenced on 30th September 2005 and
• The Constitution Amendment Act, 2005, Act No. 21 of 2005
which commenced on 30th December 2005

There has been proposals and calls for constitutional reforms from
civil society organizations, political parties and the general public
premised on challenges facing governance in Uganda like:
• the lack of separation of powers in the three arms of government
especially the fusion of Executive and Parliament with
Ministers being part of Parliament and dominance by the
Executive
• Absence of a substantive Chief Justice in the country
• Concerns about the absence of freedom of assembly, association
and expression in the country
• Violation of human and fundamental freedoms
• Free and fair elections
• The need for review of the whole affirmative action composition
in parliament with proposed term limits for the women
MPs and calls for the removal of UPDF from Parliament
which is a partisan arena whereas the constitution requires
the UPDF to be non-partisan
• Need for the reduction of presidential powers throughout
the Constitution

As the Country prepares for the 2016 General elections,
major political parties are holding delegates conferences to
amend their party constitutions, among others but there is
a big challenge of internal party democracy. Cabinet is also
proposing to amend the Constitution in yet another major
overhaul process like the 2005 amendments. It’s important
to note however, that the proposed amendments do not
address the current constitutional challenges in the country
like the fusion of the different arms of government, the
limited political/civic space for engagement and mobilization,
among others and there is limited time for the people
to debate the proposals and make recommendations.
 
Key Questions of the day:

1. Can political parties which do not have internal democracy
give democracy to the country?
2. Does political power still belong to the people as enshrined
in Article 1 of the Constitution? Is Uganda still being governed
according to the wishes and aspirations of the people?
3. Do we still have the consensus generated in 1995, during
the constitutional making process?
 
Purpose:

The purpose of this national Dialogue is to analyze the above
challenges and generate consensus on the way forward for constitutional
governance in Uganda, ahead of 2016 elections.
Objectives:
(i) Debate Cabinets proposed constitutional amendments and
their implications
(ii) Debate the question of internal democracy in political parties
(iii) Generate consensus on how Ugandans can positively influence
the above two processes
 
Methodology:

The Dialogue will be held in an open interactive plenary. There will
also be an online- interactive Live Twitter Streaming Forum using
Hash Tag #Constitutionalism
 
Expected Outcomes:

1. It’s expected that this Dialogue will result into people centered
constitutional reforms that shall be submitted to Parliament
for consideration during the Constitutional amendment
process.
2. People will also be sensitized on the challenges ahead in
Uganda’s journey for constitutional governance.
Participation:
The General Public is invited to attend.
 
Main Speakers:

1. Hon Nuwe Amanya Mushega (FDC)
2. Hon Norbert Mao (DP)
3. Hon Simon Mulongo (NRM)
 
Contact:

Ms. Sarah Bireete
Center for Constitutional Governance (CCG)
info@ccgea.org or s.bireete@ccgea.org
0312 237113/0772 247977