Political scientists poke holes in NRM-DP deal

Political scientists have poked holes in the cooperation agreement between the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Democratic Party (DP)that was signed in July last year.

The agreement was signed between Democratic Party’s president general Nobert Mao, and President Museveni who doubles as NRM’s national chairman.

Speaking at a high-level political conference in Kampala organized by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), running under the theme; Elite bargain theory, democracy, transitional politics and their implications within the context of the DP-NRM cooperation agreement, Prof. Julius Kiiza, described the agreement as a mere document of masqueraders.

He outlined some of the key elements that are missing in the agreement that are key to democratization, road to peaceful transition of power, and the wellbeing of citizens.

Prof. Kiiza said the document is not clear on when the political transition will take place and how. He also said that the agreement is based on individuals which puts DP at a risk just in case the party president is dead.

He further noted that the agreement doesn’t represent the ordinary Ugandans yet political parties are also mandated to serve the people.

He cited the absence of negotiations between DP and NRM about improving health care systems in the country, social and economic transformations of the economy which are key in lifting people’s standards of living.

Written by Prossy Kisakye