The NRM is fully committed to promoting and upholding democracy and good governance first as a core value, but also as a sine qua non for national transformation. NRM, therefore, has diligently worked and continues to work for the following:
- peace, security, law and order, as well as equality of all citizens before the law;
- legitimacy of government, based on the consent of those who are governed through free, fair, and regular elections;
- existence of constitutional democracy where there is a separation of powers between Executive, Legislature and Judiciary;
- accountability, transparency and fight against corruption in all spheres of public life, especially in public service;
- competent government to formulate appropriate policies and implement them effectively;
- availability of information and freedom of media.
Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law
The core commitment and value of NRM to upholding constitutionalism and the rule of law has been demonstrated since 1986 and shall be maintained in the years ahead. The single most defining feature of NRM administration has been the adherence to constitutionalism and the rule of law.
In 1994, the Constituent Assembly promulgated a new fundamental law of the Republic of Uganda, i.e. the Constitution. It defines the limits, authority and responsibilities of the various organs of the state, the rights and responsibilities of individuals, as well as their inter-relations and interdependence. The Constitution has grown and continues growing into a living document, mediating the basic exercise of power between the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary and providing bedrock for constitutional government and the rule of law.
a) Free and Fair Elections
The NRM views the holding of free and fair, regular and periodic elections, as a core and essential element in democratic governance.
The electoral process has been premised on electoral reforms introduced by NRM, including but not limited to: secret voting, one ballot box in the open for all candidates; counting of votes and declaration of results at the polling station in full view of the candidates’ agents and the public on the day of voting.
The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda mandates the Electoral Commission to organize and supervise the elections. The NRM Government has supported the Electoral Commission in executing its constitutional mandate, enabling it to deliver on elections for Presidency, Parliament and local governments. This ensures that through an elected Executive, Parliament, its committees and Local Councils (over 1,000 Local Councils and 27,000 councilors), the people make their own decisions about their vital affairs.
Uganda today, has a fully functional multiparty system of governance, with NRM as the majority party in the Executive, Parliament and Local Councils; and with an Opposition represented in Parliament, its committees and the Local Councils. Multiparty democracy has been restored and is taking firm root.
In February 2006, Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council Elections, which were overwhelmingly won by the NRM were held. The Opposition disputed the results; and, accordingly, freely petitioned the Courts of Law, which on their part upheld the verdict of the people. This interplay of the people, the NRM, the Opposition and Judiciary around the electoral process, once again underlined the firm constitutional and democratic order in the country.
Up to no less than 20 Parliamentary bye-elections have been held since 2006, with most of them won by the NRM and a few won by the Opposition. In 2009, by-elections for Local Councils in almost 2000 Electoral Areas were held. The holding of all these by-elections have helped to underscore NRM’s commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law.
b) Human Rights and Justice
NRM is fully committed to the strict observance of human rights of each and every Ugandan, as well as the fullest flourishing of justice in the land. The NRM Government therefore, has continued to pursue programmes that promote human rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution of Uganda.
Under the NRM Government, the freedoms of association, assembly and expression have been vigorously promoted and upheld. The Ugandan media is free and vibrant and ever growing.
The statutory human rights watchdog, the Uganda Human Rights Commission, has played its leadership role, contributing in ensuring that the strict observance of human rights remains a fundamental national imperative.
The NRM Government successfully pushed for a constitutional amendment, permitting dual citizenship. This has taken care of the interests of the several Ugandans who live and work in the Diaspora, have attained citizenship of their country of residence and wish to maintain their Ugandan citizenship.
The NRM Government has worked to uphold the independence and vibrancy of the Judiciary. As pointed out above for instance, the Courts have nullified many parliamentary elections leading to by-elections. Where the Supreme Court found weaknesses in the electoral laws as a result of election petitions, we recently amended the electoral laws to incorporate the recommendations of the Supreme Court.
The NRM Government has enhanced access to judicial services throughout the Country by increasing the number of judges.
NRM promotes justice for all irrespective of one’s status, sex or creed. In order to administer justice more effectively at the local level, the NRM government passed the Local Council Court Act 2006. Under the Act, there are Local Council Courts at LCI, LCII and at Sub-county level. The Local Council Courts have powers to settle disputes in relation to the Children’s Act, matters governed by Customary law i.e. dispute relating to marriage, customary heir, separation, divorce, etc. Furthermore, the Local Council Courts have jurisdiction over land held under customary Law. The importance of these courts lies in the fact that they can easily be accessed by the population. However, these Courts have not been active because the opposition went to court and stopped elections of new Local Council leaders. After the general elections, new Local Council leaders will be in place and the Local Council Courts will be revived.
c) Law and Order
The NRM shall always work to promote and uphold law and order in the country, as a cornerstone for constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Over the last five years, the Uganda Police Force has registered a number of achievements in the fields of administration, infrastructure development, transport and equipment, human resource development and personnel welfare.
Regarding infrastructure development, a total of 19 District Police Stations, 34 blocks of residential accommodation, and 8 Anti-Stock Theft Units zonal offices have been built and established.
As regards personnel development, the Uganda Police Force now has a strength of 38,168 Officers, up from 14,000 in 2006. With the recruitment of an additional 5,000 Police Constables and 500 cadets this Financial Year 2010/2011, the number is expected to grow to 43,668 personnel. Thereafter, 3,500 constables and 500 cadets shall be recruited every year until they reach the strength that approximates international policing standards, of 1:500.