Uganda’s strongest opposition party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has revealed that it will defy the guidelines proposed by the government for all political parties to follow while conducting its internal elections for flag bearers in the forthcoming 2021 general elections.

“We reject the government proposed regulations to govern political parties’ internal elections during COVID 19 period,” FDC’ s mouthpiece, Ssemujju Nganda told journalists on Tuesday, July 7.

“They want us to conduct virtual meetings, generate resolutions through the signing of papers and to use unauthorised organs of parties to handpick flagbearers. This is not acceptable,” Ssemujju said.

“We will not learn NRM bad manners. We have been informed that these regulations are solely to benefit the NRM which manipulated its Constitution recently to provide for lining up behind candidates and are now stuck because of Covid-19. The NRM wants to return to electoral college [system] and secret ballot which they selfishly removed from their constitution,” Ssemujju said.

Last week, the government proposed to political parties not to hold delegates conferences, which attract big gatherings, to make major policy decisions, including electing national leaders and presidential flag bearers.

Prof Ephraim Kamuntu, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, while tabling the regulations in Parliament, said the objective was to safeguard the health of participants.

According to preliminary reports, Government also wants the regulations to enable political parties or organisations to elect leaders and sponsor candidates for nomination for the General Election within the limitations imposed by the Public Health Act and the rules made therein for the control of infectious diseases.

Augustine Ojobile, the secretary of the FDC electoral commission, said they will ask party members to express interest in various positions after which they are nominated and vetted by the party.