By Ben Musanje
National Consultative Forum (NCF) Chairperson Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi came under sustained questioning from Members of Parliament on Friday as legislators pressed him to explain the Forum’s effectiveness in strengthening Uganda’s multiparty political system, exposing concerns over delayed electoral reforms, political party funding, internal party democracy and the shrinking political space.
Appearing before MPs during the induction seminar for the 12th Parliament at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Friday, Kiwanda spent nearly an hour responding to a barrage of questions from legislators drawn from both the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the opposition, many of whom challenged the Forum’s relevance and demanded greater accountability.
One of the earliest concerns came from Napak district Woman MP Faith Nakut, who questioned why regulations required to operationalize provisions of the Political Parties and Organizations Act had remained pending despite Parliament having already passed the enabling law. She challenged the responsible minister to table the regulations or seek amendments to provisions causing delays.
In response, Kiwanda acknowledged that the regulations had taken too long to come before Parliament, saying political parties themselves were equally frustrated by the delay. He appealed to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, to expedite the process so Parliament could consider and pass the regulations.
Bulamogi North West MP George Patrick Kasajja shifted attention to national cohesion, asking why the National Consultative Forum had not spearheaded a meaningful national dialogue to bridge political divisions and foster cooperation among Ugandans.
Kiwanda told legislators that promoting dialogue remained one of the Forum’s priorities, revealing that political parties had recently resolved to advocate for a national dialogue. However, he noted that such an undertaking would require adequate funding and parliamentary support if it were to be successfully implemented.
Questions on political party financing also dominated the session.
Oyam North MP Dr. Eunice Apio Otuko queried why the law requiring equal sharing of funding among political parties under the Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) during election years had not been fully implemented, arguing that the National Resistance Movement had continued receiving a disproportionately larger share of public funding.
Kiwanda acknowledged that the matter had previously been raised before the Speaker during the 11th Parliament and said political parties were still pursuing implementation of the legal provision requiring equal distribution of funds during election periods.
The issue of internal democracy within political parties was raised by Bugangaizi South MP Prof. George William Lubega, who questioned the failure to deal with electoral malpractice during party primaries, including allegations that election officials manipulated results.
Kiwanda agreed that weak internal democracy continued to fuel independent candidature after party primaries. He argued that Parliament should enact legislation clearly defining who qualifies as an independent candidate, noting that many politicians simply abandoned their political parties immediately after losing primary elections and successfully contested as independents.
Drawing comparisons with neighbouring Kenya, Kiwanda said that country’s laws require an independent candidate to have stayed away from political party activities for a specified period before elections, suggesting Uganda could borrow similar reforms.
He observed that Parliament currently has dozens of independent legislators despite the Constitution providing for a multiparty political system, saying the legal ambiguity had complicated political party organisation.
Concerns about the use of public funds also featured prominently.
Herbert Hunter sought clarification on reports that each political party receives Shs450 million in public funding through the National Consultative Forum.
Kiwanda clarified that the money was allocated to the Forum as an umbrella organization representing all the country’s registered political parties rather than being paid individually to each political party.
He also dismissed fears that increased funding would encourage the creation of numerous political parties, arguing that registering a political party in Uganda remains a difficult legal process requiring support from at least 99 districts.
Kazo District Woman MP Molly Kamukama challenged the Forum to expand its mandate beyond coordinating political parties.
She argued that many registered political parties existed only on paper and failed to participate meaningfully in elections, questioning why taxpayers should continue funding organisations that had become little more than “briefcase parties.”
Kamukama proposed that the Forum should supervise political parties more closely by ensuring they hold regular elections, establish functional dispute resolution mechanisms, develop coherent ideological programmes and strengthen institutional capacity.
While agreeing that some parties needed to become more active, Kiwanda argued that inadequate funding remained one of the biggest obstacles limiting their visibility and mobilisation activities.
The controversial proposal to amend the law governing the election of the Leader of Opposition also found its way into the discussion.
Kapchorwa Municipality MP Patrick Kitiyo Salimo asked what action the National Consultative Forum had taken regarding proposals to amend the Administration of Parliament Act to allow opposition and independent MPs to elect the Leader of Opposition.
Kiwanda responded that the Forum had not yet formally discussed the proposal and had only learnt about it through media reports. He nevertheless maintained that, in his view, the Leader of Opposition should remain an opposition politician and argued that Parliament should first clarify the legal status of independent MPs before assigning them any role in electing the office holder.
On matters of ideology and nation-building, Buhweju West MP John Bosco Koyo Kariisa asked whether Uganda should consider reintroducing national ideological orientation programmes similar to those previously conducted at Kyankwanzi or adopt a national service model like Israel’s.
Kiwanda welcomed the proposal, saying the Forum would support any initiative capable of strengthening patriotism and national identity among Ugandans.
Wakiso District Woman MP Betty Ethel Naluyima questioned whether the Forum had objected to amendments affecting its operations and asked what interventions it had made regarding the participation of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in IPOD.
Kiwanda told MPs that the Forum had written to Parliament regarding amendments affecting its operations and had also advised the Speaker on funding for IPOD. He maintained that under the law, any political party represented in Parliament automatically qualifies for membership of both IPOD and the National Consultative Forum, adding that the Forum recognised NUP as a full member.
Security and political freedoms were raised by Hoima West MP Ismael Kasule, who questioned the Forum’s response to reports of arrests and abductions involving political actors.
Kiwanda acknowledged that political party leaders were concerned whenever politicians were arrested but stressed that all parties should operate within the law and that law enforcement agencies should equally observe legal procedures.
Aringa North MP Karim Musa Komoro and Ajuri County MP Fred Jalameso also sought clarification on the Forum’s operations and governance issues, while Kiwanda reiterated the need to strengthen multiparty politics through dialogue, adherence to the law and institutional reforms.
The lengthy interaction laid bare the wide range of expectations MPs have of the National Consultative Forum as Uganda prepares for another electoral cycle.
Although Kiwanda defended the Forum’s work, the persistent questioning from legislators highlighted growing pressure on the institution to move beyond advocacy and play a more visible role in promoting political dialogue, safeguarding internal party democracy and ensuring that the country’s multiparty system functions more effectively. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
