Why the MAO-MUSEVENI deal shows Uganda is not ready for Multiparty democracy.

By Collines Jeremiah Mawa

At the onset of independence in 1962, Uganda sought a self-government under the Multiparty system. This demonstrated the conciousness in Ugandans; that a Multiparty political environment would gurantee stability. Several challenges experienced in the following years after Independence

made it inevitable for that first attempt at political pluralism to fail. 

In retrospective, these negative experiences remind us of the fragility of an open and competitive political system and its reliance on committed, responsible and credible actors on all sides and at all levels.

After taking over power, the

(NRM) proclaimed an era of “fundamental change”, based on a 

“Ten-Point-Programme”. The new President promised an interim period of four years for restructuring the system and creating democratic institutions. Museveni did not allow a multiparty system and prohibited political party activities in the interim period during which a new constitution was to be elaborated. 

At the same time, the NRM installed resistance councils from village to district levels. These became the core element of the NRM's concept of grass-roots democracy. 

The political parties were not completely banned, but all political activities by the parties were prohibited. They were 

allowed to continue in existence, but not to hold meetings or take part in elections.

This would change following the 2005 referendum.

The political environment after the referendum clearly mirrors the environment under the one-party movement system; parties exist, are mostly disorganized, and their activities greatly curtailed under the Public Order Management Act. In reality, these parties exist to legitimize the NRM's hold onto power. Our experiment at Multiparty democracy has failed to be exact.

Mao's deal with Mr. Museveni is bad for Multiparty politics as it has cemented the belief that "there is no credible opposition in Uganda". A considerable number of Ugandans, who dislike the NRM may become less interested in politics altogether. This is bad for Multiparty democracy. Ugandans should be honest with themselves; maybe we weren't ready for Multiparty democracy.