The Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda has blamed the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) for encumbering all dialogue efforts to ensure consideration of the proposals by the Interparty Organization for Dialogue (IPOD).
The opposition has been accusing President Museveni of turning around after promising to meet IPOD members to dialogue on electoral reforms before the appointment of a new commission.
In a meeting that was held in July this year at State House Entebbe, the President reportedly promised that he would further the discussions on Electoral Reforms and appointed the Prime Minister to organize the subsequent meetings.
The meeting in July was however boycotted by FDC giving reasons that they wouldn’t meet Museveni at State House. They also blamed other opposition parties, DP and UPC who attended the meeting.
Before the second meeting would be called, FDC announced that they had suspended their involvement in all IPOD activities until a number of irregularities were ironed out.
Dr Rugunda was tasked by Buhweju legislator, Francis Mwijukye at the floor of Parliament on Wednesday to explain why the president turned round and appointed the new EC without considering IPOD proposals.
In his response, Rugunda noted that the president is still ready for dialogue but the process was derailed by some political parties that are opposed to the same.
“I agree with the honorable member that there was a meeting of IPOD at State House which unfortunately was boycotted by FDC although they were among the organizing parties for the same meeting,” Rugunda informed the house.
“Secondly it is true we did agree that political parties should dialogue and indeed the president asked me to pursue this matter and we have been pursuing this matter; the parties that were willing to talk have been talking and some that are not willing to talk have not been coming.”
Rugunda noted however, that running of the country must continue adding that the election or the appointment of the new EC was appropriate and the country could not be held back by one or two parties opposed to dialogue.
“So the position as stated by H.E the President is that government and the Movement are always ready to talk to other political parties and other actors still remains firm, clear and consistent.”