After a year and a half of collaborative efforts between the Democratic Party (DP) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM), both parties are set to convene for a comprehensive assessment of the cooperation agreement signed in July 2022.
Democratic Party Secretary General, Mr. Gerald Siranda, outlined that the meeting’s primary focus would be on evaluating the progress made in political transition and national dialogue, key components of the cooperation agreement.
“As witnesses of the cooperation agreement, we will meet today with NRM Secretary General Richard Twodong to compile a report on the achievements and challenges within the signed agreement,” Mr. Siranda stated.
He highlighted that a crucial question for discussion would be the NRM’s stance on the peaceful transition of power, emphasizing its significance for the country. Mr. Siranda expressed the need for the nation to hear the NRM’s next steps in this regard.
Furthermore, Mr. Siranda underscored the importance of a national dialogue, asserting that the DP has been actively promoting and advocating for it. He believes that the present moment is opportune for various partners advocating for democracy and change to engage in a constructive national dialogue.
Post the meeting, Mr. Siranda expects an engagement with the chief whips of both parties in Parliament to assess the parliamentary landscape. This assessment is vital as certain aspects of the cooperation agreement need to be implemented on the parliamentary floor.
About the Agreement
On July 20, 2022, President Museveni and DP’s Norbert Mao formally signed a working cooperation agreement that is slated to be in effect until the 2026 polls. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Secretary Generals of both parties.
In this agreement, the two political entities committed to sharing political power and collaborating on the overall governance agenda. They pledged support for parliamentary votes on matters of confidence and supply for the entire term (2021-2026) of the current Parliament.
As per the agreement, Mr. Mao assumed the position of Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, while another DP leader was earmarked for a ministerial role. Additionally, DP committed to supporting the NRM government on technical motions in Parliament and committees, provided there is prior consultation among the parties through their chief whips.
