KAMPALA – Makerere University Don Simba Sallie Kayunga has criticised Opposition political parties in Uganda for always giving excuses of unlevelled political field as a reason for their failure in elections.
Dr Simba instead advised them to work around the strength and weaknesses of the dominant political party to secure victory.
“This argument is an excuse. Opposition political parties should work around the weaknesses of the dominant party,” he said.
The political science don said he was impressed by the national coordinator of the Alliance for National Transformation, Maj Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu, whom he revealed told him that political parties should counter the unlevelled political field by lerening from the mentality of the military personnel who work to win a war irrespective of the strengths of the opponent.
Dr Simba was delivering a keynote address during a National Dialogue on Political Parties and Constitutionalism organised by the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) in Kampala on Friday. The dialogue was taking stock of the 15 years of multi-party governance and examining whether political parties have enhanced constitutionalism in Uganda.
He also lashed at political parties that fail to field party candidates for all electoral positions across the country, saying this reflects ideological weakness.
“In developed countries, political parties have to demonstrate that they have the ability to mobilize resources. In Uganda, if you cannot sponsor even an LC1 candidate, then you have no business in politics.
Dr Simba also observed that independent candidates have played a key role in setting Uganda’s political agenda, under Uganda’s multi-party dispensation. He adds that the existence of a multi-party system does not take away the rights of people to participate in politics.
In his speech presented by State Minister for Northern Uganda Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda noted that the government is concerned over the unequal access of marginalized groups such as women, youth, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities among others to the existing opportunities for fully exercising their civil and political rights.
