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Uganda set for political change
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2784861.stm President Yoweri Museveni has said he is in favour of returning the country to a multi-party political system, according to press reports. Since coming to power in 1986, President Museveni has refused to allow parties to operate, ruling through a non-party political system, known as the "movement". But pressure has been growing both from within and outside the country for a return to multi-party politics, despite fears that this could reopen divisions along tribal and religious lines. A committee of the movement was given responsibility for considering what political system Uganda should adopt in December last year. Ugandan newspapers say President Yoweri Museveni has been pushing it to recommend the opening up of multi-party politics. A senior movement official, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, is quoted as saying President Museveni will address a meeting of the movement before the end of February, to discuss the issue. Western pressure The president is reported to have conceded to colleagues opposed to the move that the development could lead to the break up of the "movement" into different factions. But pressure from the international community is reported to be a critical factor in changing his mind. "The fundamental consideration is protection of investment," President Museveni is quoted as saying He said that great gains had been made in investment and trading with the United States and Europe. "The people who have opened their markets to us are the ones who want us to open political space to multi-party politics. "We should not take decisions that will scare away investors because if there is disinvestment it will take years and years before we can convince them to return." The Mulindwas Communication Group "With Yoweri Museveni Uganda is in Anarchy" Le groupe de transmission de Mulindwas " avec Yoweri Museveni, Ouganda est dans anarchy " |
