Opposition seeks to amend Constitution to shift from winner takes all
- Written by OUR REPORTER
Mathias Mpuuga in a group photo with visiting leaders of South Africa’s Party of Action (POA)
The leader of opposition in parliament (LoP), Mathias Mpuuga has announced plans to introduce a bill that among others; seeks to amend the Ugandan Constitution to shift from the current “winner-takes-it-all” system to proportional representation.
Mpuuga revealed this while addressing leaders of South Africa’s Party of Action (POA) who paid a courtesy visit to him at his parliamentary office. Mpuuga said that the current 'majoritarian' system is unfair to political parties, adding that it is the reason why the National Unity Platform (NUP) has one MP from Busoga sub-region much as the area overwhelmingly voted for the NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.
“In the Busoga sub-region, our candidate defeated Gen Museveni by over 80 per cent but guess what, we have a single MP [from there]. If that were proportional representation, we probably could be having 50 MPs from Busoga,” Mpuuga said.
“It is part of the conversation we want to have as the opposition with the nation to change that system. The system of first-past-the-post promotes laziness and entrenches unpopular leaders. If we had proportional representation, the People's Progressive Party [PPP] would have more than one member of parliament,” he added.
Under the proportional representation system, Mpuuga said the seats in parliament and lower-level councils would be allocated in proportion to the vote share each party garners at a general election.
“[Such] a system promotes participation, all you need to do is to identify motivated, charismatic candidates to go and martial support for your party in the countryside, and before you know it, you are home and dry,” Mpuuga said.
At the close of last year, Mpuuga announced that top on the opposition’s priority list for its legislative agenda this year is a bill to amend the Constitution to introduce political and electoral reforms.
The South African opposition party, according to its leader, Billy Nyaku, was fascinated by NUP, especially how it won 57 seats in parliament within just two years of its creation. Nyaku said that as a young party that is aspiring to dominate his country’s politics, POA chose to draw lessons from the NUP experience.
Comments
Mpuuga wants us to believe that "the current 'majoritarian' system is" what is unfair to political parties! Is that the case? If it is, then that means that there's is democracy and rule of law and all that needs to be done is to amend the constitution, mbu "to shift from the current “winner-takes-it-all” system to proportional representation."
In other words, Mpuuga clearly knows that as long as M7 is still in power, there's no chance for "proportional representation because of the winner-takes-it-all! Therebefore Mpuuga believes in maintaining the status quo so that he can continue to benefit as M7's proxy! The fact of the matter is, amending the constitution in any way, shape or form isn't the answer. M7 must go. Period.
I am assuming that the opposition understand the difference between the two. I am suggesting here that we should re-visit that option. If in doubt, please read our First Contitution that gave Uganda its Independence. [PS: TRIBE & THEIR RESPECTIVE TERRITORIES CONSTITUTE UGANDA].
Obote "monkeyed" with that interpretation of the First Constitution during our first election (and related election procedures) in order bfor him (Obote) to out-wit his rival (Ben Kiwanuka).
(2) The proposed move from winner takes all implies that we are heading towards a coalition type of government. That has a very serious weakness, as we see in Italy.
(3) A CONSTITUENT ELECTION SYSTEM would also address the Buganda question, wouldn't it?
Insisting to be opposing Museveni, going for fake elections = ensuring his ownership of Uganda by pretending the zone that belongs to him, is still a country!
If there was real opposition, Ugandans would have been caled to say NO to the tribalistic system & to UNITY, the only means & power Ugandans have to show Museveni way out!
By insisting opposing Museveni who wons Uganda, opposition leaders/parties are ensuring his ownrship of Uganda; legally, officially, constitutionally!
NO to the tribalistic system & UNITY, with just ONE National Leader, are all Ugandans need!
Uganda is Museveni's family business & not a country!
Thanks.
Just NO to the tribalistic system the migrant put in place to ensure ownership of Uganda, then UNITY are all Ugandans need, if they really want Museveni & family out!
Why are Ugandans alright being the migrants in the zone formed by thei tribal lands?
Museveni will NEVER let Ugandans have a say in what goes on in the Uganda that belongs to him!
As things are, all Museveni has to do now is "dissolve posts of tribal leaders, thus end the tribalistic system of rule he put in place" & just be a dictator owner of Uganda!
Ugandans are locked in fights that only give Museveni air, time to conclude conquest of territory!
Who, which tribe will stand up to Museveni when he finaly dissolve posts of tribal leaders & become a real man, real dictator?
Are Ugandans waking up or will they just help Museveni own their land officially, legally, constitutionally?
As long as Ugandans go along with the tribalistic system, they are alone with Museveni & the outside world will just watch in silence!
Ugandns are ensuring they are slaves of migrant Museveni & their land belongs to the migrant family officially, legally, constitutionally!
Ugandans are tribally divided ruled slaves since 1986, yet pretend it's democracy, thus protect Museveni!
Museveni will dissolve posts of tribal leaders as he doesn't need them in posts any more, as he knows he will rule with or without fake presidential election, just as he knows he doesn't need the useless parliament any more!
Why are fake opposition leders still pretending Uganda is a country, when it's Museveni's family business?
Why ensure Museveni's lifetime rule & transfer of power to his son with such dignity?