{UAH} Uganda: The Democratic Alliance Must Move Quickly to Save Itself
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Uganda: The Democratic Alliance Must Move Quickly to Save Itself
OPINION
By Omar Kalinge-NnyagoThe Democratic Alliance (TDA) is one of the most powerful ideas for political change that have emerged in a long time. It has brought together all change seeking Ugandans from active political parties, civil society, retired political and cultural leaders, and religious icons. It has also been gradual - from the endless meetings we had at Uganda House, courtesy of Mr Olara Otunnu, then later, in several small hotels. Then the long campaign for free and fair elections, sub climaxing into the citizens compact sealed at Hotel Africana, then the retreat at Katoomi, which agreed the formation of the TDA and its draft protocol, followed by an official launch.
At no stage have discussions been easy. Now, more than ever, after the 'close' of nominations for TDA flag bearer, which happened at the odd hour of 10.10pm of a Friday night after another uncomfortable decision to extend the time for nominations in the aid of one man - Amama Mbabazi, the discussions are likely to get even harder.
TDA founder Olara Otunu has penned down a considered opinion to the TDA leadership stating his discomfort with the idea of TDA participating in the 2016 elections without a complete overhaul of the whole system of elections in Uganda. He, therefore, goes further than suggesting just some electoral reforms, as condition for participation in the 2016 elections.
Dr Kizza Besigye won the FDC flag bearer race on his promise to challenge the status quo and force electoral reforms before the next elections can be held, emphasising the power of the people over some timetable drafted by a discredited Electoral Commission. On Friday, September 11, at a press conference at FDC headquarters, he set September 18 as deadline to government to embark on reforms.
Mr Gilbert Bukenya, another TDA flag bearer, has told the Daily Monitor that he would pull out of TDA if the alliance insisted on reforms before elections, arguing that it would only help Museveni retain power, unchallenged. He noted that the alliance's major objective was to win power, not to reform electoral laws. He argued that it is the TDA government of national unity, after taking power in 2016, that would implement the desired reforms.
Mr Norbert Mao, another nominated TDA flag bearer, has stated categorically that if Erias Lukwago's pressure group, the Platform for Truth and Justice, was admitted to the TDA, he would march with DP out of TDA. Lukwago was at the TDA offices last Friday demanding response to his group's request to join TDA. Once admitted, Lukwago is likely to seek to be nominated as TDA flag bearer. He is not likely to accept the excuse of an expired deadline - as it has been extended before for Amama Mbabazi. As promised by Mao, this will happen after Mao is out of TDA.
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