Uganda - Referendum 2000
Between 3rd June and 2nd July 2000, a referendum was held to allow Ugandans to choose between the present no party "Movement: system, a multi-party system, or any other democratic and representative system." If the people of Uganda are to make a meaningful and informed choice in this referendum, then it is essential that they are provided with civic education in advance of the referendum vote. It is also essential that a comprehensive monitoring operation is undertaken to assess whether the proce~s is conducted in line with the Referendum Act.
The Electoral Commission (EC) is responsible for coordinating and monitoring civic education prior to the referendum. A number of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been accredited by the Electoral Commission to carry out civic education and monitoring of the referendum and it is working closely with them.
A referendum is a vote taken on an important issue by all people of a country. It is one way through which people may express their views with regard to government policy or proposed legislation. Unlike in an election where people vote for candidates or political parties, in a referendum they vote over issues or questions. Usually decisions about government policy are taken by elected representatives of the people (for example, members of parliament).
In 1964 a referendum took place in Uganda regarding the 'lost' counties. People of the then Buyaga and Bugangaizi counties were given a chance through a referendum to decide whether to remain under the then Buganda Kingdom, join the then Bunyaro Kingdom or become a separate district. They opted to retum to the then Bunyoro Kingdom.
The Constitution provides that the people of Uganda will have the right to choose and adopt a political system of their choice through free and fair elections or referenda. The Constitution provides that only democratic and representative systems will be accepted as additional systems. If no such system is approved by Parliament, the Ugandans will simply have to choose between the movement and multiparty systems.
In a multi-party system, several different parties compete in an election and more than two parties may be represented in govemment. All citizens are given the right to belong to the political party of their choice, or even to form their own political party. A political party is an organisation with strong ideas about the economic, social and political direction of a country. Some parties have strong views about other issues too (for example, cultural or environmental issues). Parties provide an opportunity for people who share common opinions about how the country should be govemed to organise themselves and compete for political power.
The movement system of govemance is the one presently operating in Uganda. Its mode of operation is laid out in the Constitution and the Movement Act which state the principles and characteristics of the movement system. Under the movement system, leaders are elected on the basis of individual merit to represent their communities. All positions of leadership are, according to the law, accessible to all citizens. There is no organised opposition in Parliament. Elected representatives in Parliament (or in any other structure of govemment) participate in discussions and make decisions according to their personal beliefs and the views of their respective constituencies.
The June 2000 referendum on the role of political parties resulted in the indefinite extension of the Movement form of government and the indefinite continuation of these restrictions on political parties. The referendum process was flawed by restrictions on political party activities and unequal funding. In April 2001 the Parliament passed the Political Organizations Bill; however, the President vetoed it because of provisions that would allow political parties to operate at the district level.
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