The Forum for Democratic Change(FDC) has backed plans for an inter-party dialogue forum between the government and the opposition parties.
Dr Kizza Besigye, president of FDC says they his party is prepared to sign a memorandum of understanding between the NRM government and other parties.
In 2006, Besigye says FDC rejected plans for a dialogue forum between the NRM and other opposition parties, because there were no visible structures and systems for the dialogue.
He says in 2006 President Yoweri Museveni invited opposition parties for a meeting in State House which was not the equivalent of a multi party dialogue process.
Dialogue between government and the opposition parties helps bring about political reforms, promote democracy and reduce tensions between parties.
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Besigye says there is an inter-party forum envisaged under the Political Parties Act but the government has not operationalised it. He says in the absence of a forum created under the law, the informal interaction which is structured and agreed upon becomes necessary.
He says in the forum they will have an agreed agenda for discussion and they hope to discuss issues such electoral reforms and democratic reforms.
The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy is facilitating the creation of a dialogue forum between political parties in Uganda.
It will fund a secretariat for the forum. A draft memorandum of understanding on the dialogue forum has been drawn and contains issues on the principles of dialogue and cooperation among parties.
The draft spells out its leadership and the decision making process.
NRM Vice chairman for Eastern Uganda, Capt Mike Mukula says the NRM was committed to signing the memorandum of understanding.
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Several parties say they were willing to participate in the dialogue process.
Ken Lukyamuzi, president of the Conservative Party says his party was willing to sign the memorandum. Lukyamuzi says the memorandum has to be agreed upon by all parties.
Yona Kanyomozi, chairman Uganda Peoples Congress says they support the dialogue forum because it was necessary for peace in the country.
Justice Forum MP Hussein Kyanjo says his party supports the dialogue and was willing to sign the memorandum because it was what parties have been asking for.
