Democratic Front Hinges Future Goals on Elusive Electoral Reforms

The leadership of the Democratic Front (DF) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the pursuit of constitutional and electoral reforms as a vehicle towards realising a political transition in Uganda.

On Thursday, the DF, which recently rebranded from the Green Partisan Party, convened its first National Delegates Conference in Masaka City, in which it chose its substantive leadership that will manage its affairs for the next three years. 

The Nyendo-Mukungwe division Member of Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, was unanimously voted the party President, Samuel Lubega Mukaaku, the National Chairperson, Michael Mabikke Ssenninde as the Secretary General, Entebbe Municipality MP Michael Kakembo the Secretary for Regional and International Affairs, Masaka City Woman MP Juliet Kakande the National women leader. 

The delegates also elected Kimanya-Kabonera division MP Abed Bwanika as the party Treasurer General, city lawyer Suleiman Kakaire the legal advisor, Moses Kasibante Secretary for Communication and Publicity, Pascal Amurait, the Deputy President for Eastern Uganda, Charles Etabong Njonjo the Secretary for Culture and religious affairs, Ismail Mulambuzi as the Organising Secretary, among others. 

Upon assuming the party presidency, Mathias Mpuuga indicated that one of their primary undertakings will focus on changing the country’s political trajectory through meaningful reforms to the constitution and electoral laws. 

He observes that the party intends to focus on reenergizing the citizenry to redefine and reshape the country’s political future through meaningful discussions towards a peaceful political transition. He says that despite the high level of political disappointment and public irritation caused by the National Resistance Movement-NRM government’s excesses and extended leadership, there needs to be a convergence of well-meaning individuals who can reawaken the country’s hope for better leadership.

Mpuuga observes that their party is determined to continue championing a reformist agenda that can redefine the governance of the country for a better future.  

Mpuuga challenged the party members and all change-seeking forces to stand firm and positively contribute towards improving the country’s political terrain, as opposed to merely participating in ritualistic election cycles. 

Despite the previous failed attempts to realise the preferred transition at the different political vehicles that have been formed over time, he called upon Ugandans to think afresh and remain committed to the goal of having a better country.

Anthony Kiwanuka, a member of the DF party’s Council of Elders, observes that the new leadership will also push for national reconciliation, which he says will help the country to heal from the different aggressions it has suffered since independence.

He says that the time has come for Ugandans to make a joint commitment to not repeating the past political mistakes that have plunged the country into problems that include other structural inequalities and human rights abuses.  

In the meantime, Michael Mabikke Ssenninde, the party’s Secretary General, noted that as they prepare to participate in the next general election, they are also going to dedicate efforts to push for the release of all people who are in prison on politically motivated charges.