Amidst a whirlwind of debate, the Electoral Commission (EC) steps in to navigate objections surrounding proposed revisions to the constitution of the National Unity Platform (NUP) Party, signaling a pivotal moment in the party’s evolution.
Recently, contention surfaced over the absence of a foundational supreme law within the party, sparking concerns over governance and transparency. While the NUP acknowledges the shortcomings in their constitution inherited from 2020, they assert that amendments have been made and duly recognized by the Electoral Commission since 2023.
The NUP clarifies that the adoption of the revised constitution was contingent upon the completion of the Electoral Commission’s administrative procedures, underscoring a commitment to due process.
This clarification emerges amidst heightened scrutiny, catalyzed by the suspension of Mathias Mpuuga, the Party’s deputy president in Buganda, over allegations of financial impropriety.
In a statement shared with the Nile Post, Russell Jacques Leonard Mulekwah, Secretary of the Electoral Commission, reveals that the commission received the NUP’s resolution on April 18, 2023, regarding proposed constitutional amendments.
Mulekwah highlights the commission’s issuance of a notice on December 7, 2023, regarding the proposed changes, in accordance with the Political Parties and Organizations Act of 2005. The subsequent publication of the notice in the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation Gazette on January 5, 2024, aimed to solicit public feedback and objections.
However, objections were lodged by M/S Baraka Legal Associates, Solicitors & Legal Consultants, prompting the EC to intervene for impartial resolution.
“To ensure the integrity of elections and referenda, the Commission deems it imperative to facilitate dialogue among all stakeholders,” asserts Mulekwah.
A crucial meeting has been slated for May 14, 2023, inviting both the NUP and Baraka Legal Associates to address objections constructively and chart a path forward.
In a transformative move in 2023, the NUP revamped its constitution, notably introducing a provision limiting leaders’ terms, both nationally and locally, to two terms only.
This amendment, endorsed during an extraordinary meeting, restricts individuals from holding positions such as party president, chairperson, or secretary-general for more than two terms, effective from 2026 onward. This marks a significant stride towards institutional renewal and democratic governance within the NUP
