Rugunda told journalists after the meeting that government was committed to delivering the regulations, adding that the National Security Council would meet soon to discuss them before passing them on to parliament for approval.
Government has promised to fast track the adoption of regulations guiding the implementation of the Public Order Management Act-POMA. The act has been a subject of contention between the opposition and Uganda Police Force.
Police often uses the act to stop opposition political activities. The act requires organisers of public meetings to notify the Inspector General of Police- IGP at least three days to the event. The opposition accuses of police of misinterpreting the law to clamp on their activities.
In 2019, the Inter party Organization for Dialogue- IPOD, a platform that brings together all political parties with representation in parliament drafted and passed regulations in a bid to guide the implementation of POMA. The regulations were submitted to government for consideration but have never been adapted to date.
On Tuesday, the IPOD Council which comprises Secretary Generals of all IPOD member political parties, other party leaders and the IPOD secretariat met the Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda in the a closed door meeting to follow up on progress of implementation of the regulations.
Rugunda told journalists after the meeting that government was committed to delivering the regulations, adding that the National Security Council would meet soon to discuss them before passing them on to parliament for approval.
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The IPOD Council Chairperson and FDC Secretary General, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, said the regulations are important ahead of the 2021 general elections. He says POMA has been abused by some zealous policemen to frustrate opposition political party activities.
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The meeting also discussed the proposed increment of funding to political parties. In the 2019 IPOD summit, heads of political parties resolved that government funding to political parties increase from Shillings 10 billion to Shillings 35 billion annually.
According to the Political Parties and Organisations Act, parties with representation in parliament are entitled to funding to help them organize and conduct party activities.
The money is shared depending on the number of members a party has in parliament. Rugunda reiterates government commitment to implement the resolution, adding that they recognise financial challenges faced by the parties. He however said the implementation is dependent on availability of resources.
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Harold Kaija, the FDC Deputy Secretary General, says as a party they will give government the benefit of doubt, adding that all they await are results.
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The IPOD Secretary, Frank Rusa says they will follow up with government to see to it that IPOD resolutions are implemented.
Although this isn’t the first time government, says the regulations will be discussed by the National Security Council, he is optimistic that government will deliver on its promise.
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Story by Hafitha Issa