• Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Donate
  • Login
Watchdog Uganda
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
Watchdog Uganda
No Result
View All Result

We don’t need your majje! MPs react on NRM’s proposal to deploy UPDF during elections

watchdog by watchdog
6 years ago
in National, News, Politics
7 0
ShareTweetSendShare

The government party, National Resistance Movement, wants electoral laws amended to specifically permit the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) to support the Uganda Police Force in providing security during elections.

The proposal was one of a host of proposals on various electoral laws presented by the NRM Secretary General, Justine Kasule Lumumba, to the House Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on Tuesday, 17 September 2019.

The Committee is carrying out consultations on the Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2019; Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2019; Electoral Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2019; Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and Local Governments (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Lumumba argued that the rationale for the UPDF providing security during elections is to cater for circumstances where Police may require back up from sister security agencies.

“Unless the law prescribes for situations where back up may be required; there is a danger that such interventions may be declared illegal,” Lumumba said.

Legislators however said that the Police has capacity to provide security during elections.

Kira Municipality legislator  Ssemujju Nganda said that Police cannot reach a point where they will need support from the army.

“I am very uncomfortable with involving the army in election issues,” Ssemujju Nganda said.

Busiro County East MP Medard Sseggona said that police enjoys a civil relationship with the public.

“Why involve the army whose mandate is not civil in character,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NRM also proposed that a person should only be eligible to stand for election as an Independent if that person has ceased being a member of a political party or organisation 12 months before nomination day, or having never been registered as a member of a political party or organisation.

Lumumba said that in the current law, people are free to walk in and out of a political party, which compromises political parties’ operations during and after elections.

“We support this amendment because it prevents disruption and sabotage of political party strategy and activities,” Lumumba said.

Lawmakers however said that the proposal is unconstitutional and infringes on the rights of Ugandans to participate in the country’s democracy.

Kaberamaido County MP Veronica Eragu Bitchetero advised that political parties should hold credible primary elections to avoid cases of Independents.

“What mischief is the party looking to cure on Independents? It is the parties that should contain the presence of Independents,” said Bitchetero.
Bugweri County MP Abdu Katuntu  said all political parties are faced with internal disagreements which need to be addressed.

“We have tens of members here who participated in primaries and lost. They contested as Independents and won. Draconian laws that want to curtail rights of others should be discouraged,” Katuntu said.


Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
Share2Tweet1SendShare

Related Posts

Chancellor of Jinja Diocese and Bishop’s Secretary, Fr. Gerald Mutto
News

Preparations for St. Gonzaga Gonza Day celebrations complete 

4th July 2025 at 17:54
News

New business lounge commissioned at Entebbe International Airport

4th July 2025 at 16:40
News

Jinja Hospital Boss Dr. Yayi Calls for Improved Maternal and Child Health Services To Curb Birth Asphyxia

4th July 2025 at 16:36
Next Post

Ex-bbs TV employee Joan Lule opens war on station over unpaid salary arrears

  • Prostitution in Uganda- Courtesy Photo

    10 dangerous hotspots known for prostitutes in Kampala

    1109 shares
    Share 444 Tweet 277
  • LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

    2286 shares
    Share 914 Tweet 572
  • Silent Billionaire Bosco Muwonge Buys Mukwano Arcade at UGX 250 Billion Cash Down

    27 shares
    Share 11 Tweet 7
  • Uganda’s Billionaires 2025: Once Again Sudhir Ruparelia Leads a Resilient Pack

    43 shares
    Share 17 Tweet 11
  • LIST : Gov’t releases Revised Salary Structure for Teachers, Police, and Prisons Staff for FY 2024/2025

    119 shares
    Share 48 Tweet 30
Facebook Twitter

Contact Information

Watchdog Uganda is a portal for solution journalism, trending news plus cutting edge commentaries in the fields of politics, security, business, tourism, entertainment, technology, agriculture, climate change, environment, public health et al. We also give preference to Ugandan community news and topical discussions. The portal also publishes community news and topical discussions.

Email: editorial@watchdoguganda.com
To Advertise:Click here

Latest News

Hon. Raphael Magyezi

Yara East Africa and Asili Agriculture Launch Agri-Hub in Kiryandongo to Advance Farmer Knowledge and Food Security in Uganda

4th July 2025 at 19:06
Chancellor of Jinja Diocese and Bishop’s Secretary, Fr. Gerald Mutto

Preparations for St. Gonzaga Gonza Day celebrations complete 

4th July 2025 at 17:54

Check out

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Minister Muruli Mukasa

LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

24th May 2020 at 10:45
Pregnant woman

Shock as 17-year old boy impregnates his two sisters during Covid-19 lockdown 

17th June 2020 at 08:17
Sudhir Ruparelia is set to speak at business forum in United Kingdom

Billionaire Sudhir’s wisdom on how to invest in real estate

0

How a boy’s destiny turned from cotton grower to communications guru

0
Hon. Raphael Magyezi

Yara East Africa and Asili Agriculture Launch Agri-Hub in Kiryandongo to Advance Farmer Knowledge and Food Security in Uganda

4th July 2025 at 19:06
Chancellor of Jinja Diocese and Bishop’s Secretary, Fr. Gerald Mutto

Preparations for St. Gonzaga Gonza Day celebrations complete 

4th July 2025 at 17:54

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda