NRM Warns Demgroup

NRM warns DemGroup over ‘malicious’ report

Publication date: Wednesday, 24th November, 2010

By Milton Olupot

THE National Resistance Movement (NRM) has warned the Democracy Monitoring Group (DemGroup) against maligning the party and its presidential candidate.

Responding to a report authored by DemGroup, accusing President Yoweri Museveni of abusing his incumbency and tilting the political ground in favour of the NRM, the party’s deputy spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo, said the report was unsubstantiated and biased.

“DemGroup did not find it prudent to ask the NRM to respond to these allegations,” he said.

Speaking to journalists at the party bureau in Kamwokya yesterday, Opondo called for immediate redress from the monitoring group and demanded that the Electoral Commission (EC) restrains it from “further reckless conduct that could jeopardise the forthcoming elections.”

DemGroup, an organisation that brings together four organisations, the Uganda Joint Christian Council, Action for Development, Transparency International Uganda and the Centre of Democratic Governance, is chaired by the Rev. Fr. Sylvester Arinaitwe.

The DemGroup report faults Museveni of promising to implement Government programmes like electricity extension and paying ex-servicemen if re-elected into power.

It also accused him of using state resources for campaigning.

The report alleges biased media coverage, favouritism from civil servants and traditional leaders, whom they said spend a lot of public resources preparing for Museveni’s rallies.

Opondo explained that the framers of the Uganda Constitution did not provide for a vacuum when presidential campaigns are taking place.

“Even in the US, the president campaigns using the Air force-One (presidential jet).

“By this omission or commission, DemGroup has ably demonstrated its partisanship, bias and incompetence,” he said.

Opondo said the report was a cheap way to hoodwink donors into giving more money for dubious reasons.

“The NRM demands the retraction of the allegations. DemGroup must offer an accurate public apology,” he said.

Failure to make an appropriate apology, Opondo said, the NRM shall seek redress from competent authorities, including petitioning the EC to de-register the group from election monitoring.

This article can be found on-line at: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/739239

© Copyright 2000-2010 The New Vision. All rights reserved.