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THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE (TDA)

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE SINGING OF THE PROTOCOL OF THE

DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE

Fellow Ugandans

Members of the press

Introduction

We are delighted to address to you this morning. At this moment, the

country is aware that leaders of political parties, pro-democracy pressure

groups and eminent Ugandan citizens met on June 4-7, 2015 at Katomi

Kingdom Resort. The purpose of the consultation was to agree on a grand

political alliance that will shape the future of governance and development

in our country. The Consultation follows a series of informal consultations

held over the last two months, which enabled us to identify and agree on the

goals and details of the alliance. The purpose of inviting you here this

morning is to brief you on the details and conclusions from the consultation

process.

Background

As you are aware, the entire country has been involved in a major campaign

to demand for the reform of our electoral system. The goal of this Campaign

is to ensure the establishment of a credible electoral management system for

our country and create the necessary conditions for free and fair elections. A

Free and fair election is a promise of our constitution. However, the

Museveni regime has betrayed that promise and remains obstinate in

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refusing to undertake the desired citizens reforms as proposed by the citizens

through the Citizens Compact on Free and Fair Elections.

Indeed, in spite of the consistent calls to reform our distorted electoral

management system towards and after 2011 general elections, and after five

years of running government, the regime is now scampering and stampeding

our parliament with last minute proposed reforms that do not meet the

aspirations of Ugandans. So far, the incumbent government shows no

commitment to honor the reforms proposed and favored by the citizens as

outlined in the Citizens Compact on Free and Fair Elections and other

proposed reforms advanced by other interest groups. The arrogance with

which the incumbent regime treats citizens opinion has reached its highest

limits and we will spare no effort in working all Ugandans and other

democracy seeking forces in stopping such arrogance.

Formation of The Democratic Alliance

We have resolved to form ourselves into The Democratic Alliance (TDA).

The main goal of The Democratic Alliance is to win power and form

government in order to build a Uganda where there is equal opportunity and

shared prosperity for all citizens. Our objectives are:

a) To build the necessary mobilization capabilities and organizational

infrastructure of the Alliance and its members in order to win power.

b) To develop and present a common policy and governance agenda for

elections.

c) Ensure the attainment of an electoral majority by fielding candidates

for all electoral positions across the country.

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d) To field joint candidates for electoral offices as set out in the TDA

Protocol.

e) To Constitute a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU)

with the purpose of implementing appropriate political and economic

reforms to build a strong and durable foundation for democracy, rule

of law and economic justice.

Membership

The Alliance has three categories of members:

- Registered political parties or organizations.

- Recognized pressure groups and other citizens formations

vetted and admitted in accordance with the TDA Protocol.

- Eminent individual citizens vetted and admitted in accordance

with the TDA protocol.

Governance structures of the Alliance

The governance structures of The Democratic Alliance are:

o The Summit which is the policy and decision-making organ of the Alliance.

o The National Candidates Committee which is responsible for managing the candidates selection process.

o The National Secretariat which will be responsible for the running of the Alliances affairs including research and policy

development.

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We also agreed on the following important issues:

We will field a joint presidential candidate who will be arrived at by

consensus by the Summit. The person agreed to be the Presidential Candidate of

the Alliance shall, in consultation with the Summit, select a Campaign Team of

the Alliance.

The National Candidates Committee shall present to the Summit for approval a

detailed criteria for selecting a Presidential Candidate and the Campaign Team of

the Alliance.

We will also field joint candidates for all elective positions. These are:

a. Members of parliament

b. LCV chairpersons and Councilors

c. City and municipal mayors

d. LCIII chairpersons and councilors

e. LCI chairpersons.

Upon winning power, the Alliance shall establish a Transitional Government of

National Unity (TGNU), which shall serve for a period not exceeding 5 years.

The immediate goals of the TGNU over the transition period shall be:

a) To undertake appropriate political and electoral reforms.

b) To reorganize and rebuild state institutions and cut down the size of

Government.

c) To establish a credible electoral management system and organize

free and fair elections.

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d) To undertake economic reforms to stimulate job-creating economic

growth and create conditions for equal opportunity and shared

prosperity.

e) To implement measures to eliminate the cancer of corruption.

We agreed on the following mandate and limits for the Transitional Government

of National Unity.

i) A person who serves in the position of President under the transitional

Government of National Unity shall not be eligible to contest for, or serve

in a political office for a period of at least 5 years after the term of the

Transitional Government of National Unity.

ii) The Cabinet under the Transitional Government of National Unity shall

be comprised of not more than 21 ministers and 21 state ministers.

iii) A member of parliament who is appointed to a cabinet or other political

position shall resign from parliament.

iv) The President of the TGNU shall not appoint more than 10 advisers

unless this commitment is varied by a decision of the Summit.

v) The Government shall ensure that political, electoral and economic

reforms, including reform of public administration, are pursued within the

first two years of the TGNU.

vi) In all appointments, the Government shall ensure gender parity.

vii) The TGNU shall ensure that equitable criteria are established to allocate

funding to all duly registered political parties, provided they demonstrate

evidence of adherence to national laws and their constitutions.

viii) Consistent with the principle of excellence, any nominations or

appointment to any public office shall be based on merit, expertise,

professionalism and integrity.

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ix) The Transitional Government shall present this Protocol for ratification

by Parliament within not more than six months after the formation of

Government.

Commitment to unity

We are conscious that Ugandans here at home and abroad are depressed over

the direction that our country is taking. We know that they are resolute in

changing the course of direction our country is taking and are anxious to

hear a message of unity. We therefore constitute ourselves into The

Democratic Alliance in order to offer effective leadership in the struggle to

overcome the current dictatorship and create conditions that will usher in a

new future of equal opportunity and shared prosperity.

We call upon every Ugandan to remain unyielding and steadfast in working

for a better future.

For God and My Country

June 10, 2015

Kampala, Uganda