UNSIA Newsletter Issue 2, November 1998
Reader observations : There is no fixed model for democracy'
Uganda's Ambassador to Ethiopia, and Permanent Representative to the OAU, Francis K. Butagira, commending the joint UNDP/ECA Initiative in producing the UN Special Initiative on Africa (December 1997), says: "I would like to air my views on one issue." He writes as follows:
"Under the heading, `ECA launches the African Centre for Civil Society', you stress quite rightly that `an active, informed and viable civil society is essential to the consolidation of pluralistic democracy (emphasis mine) and the promotion of sustainable development'. I do not quite understand what you mean by pluralistic democracy. If by that you mean multiparty democracy or multipartyism, then I differ from your opinion. If, on the other hand, you mean a form of democracy that accommodates all shades of political opinions and views, regardless of whether there are multiparty structures or not, then I agree with you. "
Home-grown system
The need for each country to fashion its own political system to suit its peculiar needs and circumstances can hardly be emphasized. Confusion arises when we equate multipartyism or pluralism with democracy rather than regarding it as a form of governance. In Uganda we have a form of governance called `Movement System'. It encompasses all ingredients of democracy as aforementioned. Its cornerstone is `individual merit' as the only qualification for participation in democratic elections. Anybody can vie for any political post on his or her own merit, in any election. Elections are based on universal adult suffrage right from grassroots up to national level. The system is open. There is no screening or banning of candidates apart from the usual disqualifications such as criminal conviction and bankruptcy.
We have learned from bitter experience that parties in Africa tend to revolve around tribes or religious affiliations. This is a recipe for instability and conflicts. Every segment of society should take part in the governance of the country. The Movement type of government has ensured this by laying emphasis on individual merit as the only criterion for participating in the democratic process and governance.
It is gratifying to note that the recently concluded `Entebbe Summit for Peace and Prosperity', attended by the U.S. President and seven African Heads of State and Government, stressed in their communiqu‚:
`Recognizing that the stability of the region also depends on the sustainability of African democratization, the Heads of State and Government endorse the core principles of inclusion: the rule of law, respect for human rights, the equality of all men and women, and the right of citizens to regularly elect their leaders freely and to participate fully in the decision-making which affect them.' Core principles
Further: `The Heads of State and Government pledge to pursue a dialogue on democratization that: accepts these core principles; recognizes that there is no fixed model for democratic institutions or transformation; explores alternative approaches to the democratic management of cultural diversity; and takes into account differences in historical experience.'
I cannot agree more.
In Uganda political parties have not been outlawed. They are indeed entrenched in the Constitution. Rather they are regarded as a form of governance. The right to choose what form of governance, whether multipartyism or movement type or any other system one fancies, is by constitution given to the people and they exercise this through a referendum. They will do so next year but one. Next year whoever wants will campaign for any mode of governance he or she wishes. It is my hope that the African Centre for Civil Society will bear all this in mind, as they go about their business."