Electoral Commission is accusing NRM of failing activities of the National Consultative Forum for Political Parties and Organisations.
Stephen Ongaria, a commissioner with Electoral Commission accuses NRM of failing to appoint a chairperson of the national consultative forum which has affected its activities.
Ongaria says that as a party with the majority NRM is supposed to appoint the chairperson of the National Consultative Forum. Article 20(A) of the Political Parties and Organisations Act provides that a party with the majority in parliament has to appoint the chairperson for the consultative Forum.
Ongaria says the forum has a critical role to play especially during the electoral process because it helps political parties to compromise on contentious issues.
//Cue In "We are waiting
Cue Out.... the forum"//
He says that the consultative forum under the leadership of Amanya Mushega, the deputy chairperson of the forum has already held several meetings to agree on contentious issues. Ongaria insists that the presence of the NRM in the consultative meetings is very vital ahead of the general elections.
Joseph Bossa, the UPC Secretary General says that the lack of participation by the NRM has made the forum almost irrelevant.
//Cue "We believe in these things ...
Cue Out.... Nothing will happen"//
He says the NRM has persistently not sent representative to a similar organisation created under the Inter-Parties Organisation for dialogue (IPOD)
Amama Mbabazi, the NRM Secretary General who is charged with the responsibility of appointing the chairperson of the consultative forum has not yet commented on the matter as he could not be reached on his mobile.
Mary Karoro Okurut, the NRM spokesperson says that NRM will take a decision on the matter before end of week. The National Consultative Forum was launched in August 2010 to foster dialogue amongst political parties.
