SOROTI - A section of representatives from different political parties, cultural leaders, religious leaders, electoral commission, human rights commission, rights activists, Police and Non-Governmental Organizations from Teso Sub Region have made proposals for both Constitutional and Electoral Reforms to enable the country attain the much-needed change and strengthen democracy in the country.

During the stakeholders meeting organized by PAC Uganda held at Nok-T hotel in Soroti City on Thursday June 29, 2023, recommended that there is a need for the restoration of age and term limits for presidential and parliamentary leadership and banning monetization of politics.

The other reforms that were proposed are the need for attitude change among electorates, conducting massive civic education during electoral processes and reducing the number of Members of Parliament and ministers.

Hellen Adoa the Minister State for Fisheries in her address noted that the country needs to pass reforms including reduction of the number of MPs saying that each district should be represented by two Members of Parliament.

She said that the current law is biased on district women Members of Parliament who are serving the biggest population as opposed to their male counterparts yet earning the same salary.

She also recommended that a strong law needs to be passed to bar commercialization of politics.

She also recommended that the President needs to appoint non Members of Parliament to be Ministers noting that its difficult for Ministers who are also MPs to respond to uncertainties in there areas of jurisdictions.

Stella Apolot Isodo the Ngora Woman MP also recommended that there is need for CSOs to conduct civic education.

She says Ugandans need to taught on their rights as citizens of Uganda.

The Executive Director of Public Affairs Centre of Uganda (PAC -Uganda) Benson Ekwee Ocen said that the proposed electoral reforms will be considered at a high-level engagement between the Parliament, Ministry of Justice and Constitution Affairs and Teso Regional MPs before it can be discussed by cabinet and later forwarded to Parliament to come up with electoral bills.

He also said there is need to restore constitutional guarantees in order to put checks that minimize abuse of constitutional power and processes.

He added that there is need to strengthen people's power to discipline errany leaders and promote leadership integrity. This power will enable people to recall errant MPs under multiparty democracy so as to promote integrity amongst leaders.

He also noted that there is need to lift presidential immunity vail make the presidency more accountable and responsible.

Restructure the state to deal with systematic governance issues to address buganda question and the question of territories like Busoga, Ankole, Bunyoro, Tooro and Rwenzururu saying the system must be unitary with the system of government.

He finally proposed that there is also need for improvement of management of electoral processes to enable EC to resolve elections financing, monetization of politics and militarization of politics.

Dr. Benard Eumu the Executive Director Bisina Consult and former Ngora LCV noted that during their tour to Teso, residents called for reduction of Parliament to two MPs per district and Ministers reduced to 25.

He added that residents also asked for equal opportunities be given for women to participate in the key decision making and enact the law to scrap the position of RDCs.

He also said that the community also asked Parliament to enact law to limit appointment of presidential to only 20 and enact law qualifications of elected limits. 

Those interviewed also asked for decentralization of the appointment of CAOs.

Samuel Akol the Kumi District Vice Chairperson noted that the issues of reforms have been long overdue saying that Ugandans are more than eager to welcome the reforms.

Florida Chelima Chebet who represented Regional Uganda Human Rights Commission said, the UHRC is willing to protect and support the reforms being proposed by the members of community.

Source: Teso news network