NRM SG holds talks with EU diplomats

By Henry  Mulindwa

The Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement Justine Kasule Lumumba has held a meeting with a delegation of eight diplomats attached to different Embassies in Uganda.

The delegation, led by the European Union Deputy Ambassador Anna Merrifield wanted to get acquainted with the party’s views on the current political climate in Uganda.

Other deputy ambassadors present included Clement Moutel (France) and Lorenza Gambacorta (Italy). The team also had six Political Officers that included Christian Palomaki (Denmark), Daniel Arhem (Sweden), Nicholas Rae (British High Commission), Theo Oltheten (The Netherlands), Roisin Carlos (European Union) and Frederic Lavis (Belgium).

In her presentation Lumumba told her guests that NRM intends to compile a Members’ Register and hold the internal primaries early enough to create ample time for addressing the post-election petitions.

Looking back at the 2016 polls, the Secretary General disclosed that there were gaps in carrying out the civic education that led to high numbers of invalid and spoilt ballot papers. She said this role should not be left to the National Electoral Commission alone but the Political Parties as well.

Youth involvement
The delegation demanded to know the involvement of the youth in the party operations and Lumumba said NRM had such structures at all levels whose members participate in different activities that include monitoring the progress of government programs.

Law on independents
Lumumba further told her guests that there is need to put in place clear laws to regulate the independents and the spontaneous meetings. On the Public Order Management Act, she said the members were progressing well in ensuring that Police designates officers to receive notices for public meetings. The SG the move would save the political parties on the costs to the Police Headquarters in Naguru.
The Secretary General further revealed that the Party was also putting pressure on the government to table the Electoral Reforms early enough and to fund the National Independent Electoral Commission in order to implement its electoral related activities on schedule.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy National Treasurer Dr. Kenneth Omona and the Director Finance and Administration Dr. Hassan Galiwango.