FDC/01/05
December 23, 2009
All National Executive Committee (NEC) members
All FDC District Chairpersons

NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING 11TH JANUARY 2009

National Executive Committee (NEC) sitting on Friday 18th December 2009 resolved that The National Council be convened on January 11th 2010 to among other issues, prepare for the 3rd National Delegates Conference.

This is therefore to invite all members of the FDC National Council to attend a National Council Meeting due to take place on 11th January 2009 at Party Headquarters Najjanankumbi, Entebbe Road Kampala beginning at 8am.

The agenda will include:

1. Prayer


2. Minutes of the last National Council meeting


3. Generate policy positions for adoption by the National Delegates Conference


4. Receive and approve Budgets of Party processes


5. Receive the Report of NEC


6. Prepare a program for National Delegates Conference


7. Any other Business

SIGNED

SAM KALEGA NJUBA, MP
NATIONAL PARTY CHAIRMAN,
FORUM FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (FDC).

WHEREAS the Conservative Party (CP), Forum for  Democratic Change (FDC), Justice Forum (JEEMA) and Uganda Peoples'  Congress (UPC) (hereinafter referred to as "the Parties") signed the Protocol of the Inter Party Cooperation on  the 5th day of August 2008.


AND WHEREAS under article 2(d) of the Inter - Party Cooperation (IPC) Protocol signed on the 5th of August 2008, the parties undertook to explore the possibilities of adopting a common electoral platform for the 2011 general elections, and if such common electoral platform is agreed, to enter into an additional protocol for that purpose as soon as possible, and now the parties have determined that the time has come to adopt a common electoral platform.

RECOGNISING that this common electoral platform would enhance the cooperation and lead to the attainment of the aims and objectives set out in their Party Constitutions and platforms.

CONSCIOUS of the obligations of the Parties to promote the  principles of democracy, the rule of law, accountability, transparency and social justice as the foundation for  a united  and prosperous Uganda.

RESOLVING to act in concert for the consolidation of the Inter Party Cooperation.

AGREE AS FOLLOWS;



1.1   In this Protocol, except where the context otherwise requires:

"Inter - Party Cooperation" here means alliance referred to in Section 18 of the Political Parties and Organization Act, 2005.

  "Primaries" means the process by which a party selects a candidate for elections.

1.2  In this protocol a reference to a law or protocol shall be construed as reference to the law or protocol as from time to time amended.

 

2.1   In accordance with the provisions of this protocol the parties hereby establish the "Inter - Party Cooperation" herein abbreviated "IPC".  

2.2   The IPC shall be managed in accordance with the provisions   herein.



The objectives of the IPC shall be to;

3.1  Campaign for the 2011 general elections on a common electoral platform.

3.2   Promote democracy, the rule of law and best practices.

3.3   Advocate and campaign against all constitutional, legal, electoral, administrative, economic, security and any other form of obstacle to the full realization of free and open democratic multiparty governance in Uganda.

3.4    Identify all areas of national life (political, economic, social or otherwise) where there is urgent need for  corrective action to be taken by Government and to jointly  campaign and  take all such action to bring pressure to bear on government to take such corrective action.

3.5   Identify common policy positions on aspects of the national economic, political and social life and adopt a common approach to realizing those positions especially in the areas of:



4.1       There shall be the following organs of the cooperation

4.1.1National Conference.

4.1.2Summit.

4.1.3National Steering Committee and District Steering   Committee.

4.1.4Secretariat.

4.1.5   National Electoral Affairs Committee.

4.1.6   District, Constituency and Sub - County Electoral Conferences.



5.1       There shall be the National Conference which shall be the supreme organ of the Cooperation.

5.2      The National Conference shall comprise fifty members nominated by each party and the district chairpersons of the parties.

5.3      The National Conference shall be convened by the Summit and presided over by the Party President holding the chair at the time the Conference is meeting.

5.4      The Conference shall receive and debate reports to be submitted by the Summit and make decisions in the best interest of the Cooperation.

5.5     The Conference shall meet at least once a year.



6.1     The Summit shall be the governing body of the Cooperation and shall comprise the Presidents/President Generals, the Secretary Generals of the Parties and Chairperson of the Steering Committee. Chairpersons of the participating parties shall form the District Summit.

6.2     The Summit shall be chaired by one of the Presidents/President General elected by the Summit and shall rotate among the parties every three months.

6.3     All Summit meetings shall be convened by the Chairperson of the Summit.



7.1      The National Steering Committee shall comprise four (4) persons nominated by each of the parties.

7.2      The  National Steering Committee shall;

7.2.1    Initiate the policies of the Cooperation and make recommendations to the Summit.

7.2.2    Execute the work plan of the Cooperation and shall be responsible to the Summit.

7.2.3    Supervise the Secretariat.

7.2.4    Draw up terms of reference   of any committee of the Cooperation.

7.2.5    Initiate rules and regulations to govern all organs and committees   of the cooperation for the approval of the Summit.

7.2.6   Carry out any other functions as the Summit may from time to time direct.

7.3      The Chairman of the Steering Committee shall regularly brief the Chairperson of the Summit of the developments in the Steering Committee.

7.4     The Steering Committee at the District level shall comprise   two nominees from each party.

 

8.1       The National, District, Constituency and Sub - County Electoral affairs Committee shall be constituted and regulated as the Summit shall determine



9.1   The National Steering Committee shall, subject to the ratification   by the Summit, set up such committees and appoint members to the said committees as it may deem necessary.

9.2 The committees referred to in paragraph 1 may be established at national, district, constituency and sub county level.

9.3    The Steering Committee shall oversee the work of the committees.



10.1      The Cooperation shall have a Secretariat to implement its decisions.

10.2    The Secretariat shall be headed by an Executive Secretary who shall be appointed by the Steering Committee and approved by the Summit and the Secretariat shall comprise other members appointed by the Summit with approval of the Steering Committee.

10.3    The Secretariat shall serve the National Conference, the Summit, the Steering Committee and any other organs of the Cooperation.

10.4    Until such a time as the Summit appoints staff in accordance with paragraphs 9.2, Change Initiative Limited (CIL) shall continue to serve as the Secretariat.

10.5     The Secretariat shall:

10.5.1   Receive all information and knowledge regarding formation and management of political cooperation and alliances and disseminate all such experience, information and knowledge to all participating political parties.

10.5.2 Receive funds of the Cooperation and manage it in accordance the guidance and direction of the Steering Committee.

10.5.3 Open a special bank account for the cooperation with two alternate signatories from the Secretariat and one signatory each nominated by the participating political parties and PROVIDED that for a transaction to be valid for bank purposes at least one signatory from the Secretariat together with at least three signatories of the participating political parties must sign the cheque, promissory note or document.

10.5.4 Keep and maintain proper books of accounts of the resources of the Cooperation including bank accounts.

10.5.5 Keep all records and properties of the Cooperation.

10.5.6 Have such functions as the Summit may prescribe.



11.1         There shall be IPC District Electoral Conferences in every district of Uganda constituted by the Constituency Electoral Conferences in that District of the parties which have a presence in the district determined by at least two hundred registered card carrying members disclosed to the Steering Committee at least one month before the IPC candidate selection or election.

11.2         There shall be IPC Constituency Electoral Conference in every constituency in Uganda constituted by fifty nominees of each participating political party in the IPC which has a presence in the Constituency determined by at least one hundred registered card carrying members disclosed to the Steering Committee at least one month before the IPC candidate selection or  election.

11.3         There shall be IPC Sub-county Electoral Conferences in every Sub-county of Uganda constituted by twenty five nominees of each participating political party in the IPC which has a presence in the Sub-county determined by at least fifty registered card carrying members disclosed to the Steering Committee at least one month before the IPC candidate selection or election.



12.1         Rights All members of the Cooperation shall at all times enjoy the following rights.

12.1.1 The right to recognition and respect of their   separate identity as political parties.

12.1.2 The right to full participation in all organs and structures of the Cooperation and all their activities in accordance with this protocol, including participation in decision making.

12.1.3   The right to access information in the custody of the organs and structures of the Alliance including its Secretariat.

12.1.4   The right to be treated fairly and honestly by all other members.

12.1.5 The right to withdraw in writing from this Cooperation.

12.2         Obligations

    All members of the Cooperation shall at all times have a    duty:

12.2.1         To act with respect and in utmost good faith towards each other and the all activities of the Cooperation.

12.2.2         To render total commitment to all aims and    objectives of the Cooperation.

12.2.3         To act with dignity and responsibility and to avoid all acts and omissions that would directly or indirectly undermine the credibility of any member or the aims and objectives of the Cooperation.

12.2.4         To protect the good name and image of the Cooperation.

12.2.5         To contribute resources to the Cooperation.

12.2.6         To avoid engaging in activities that would lead to unnecessary populist competition between the members on matters that affect the Cooperation.



3.1         The funds of the Cooperation shall be derived from:

13.1.1    Donations

13.1.2    Contribution from the members.

13.1.3    Any other lawful source.

13.2       In the utilization of funds, all organs and structures of the Cooperation shall develop guidelines that ensure compliance with the following principles:

13.2.1   Transparency and full written accountability.

13.2.2   Value for money.





14.1       Each party wishing to present a presidential candidate shall conduct primaries for a presidential candidate in accordance with its constitution or party regulations and submit the name of a single candidate to the IPC National Electoral Affairs Committee and Summit shall by consensus select one candidate and recommend him or her to the National Conference.

  14.2        In the event that no consensus is achieved by the Summit, the matter shall be put to vote in the IPC National Conference where each delegate has a vote.

  14.3       A candidate shall win by more than 50 percent. In the event that no candidate gains more than 50 percent, then the voting will proceed to a second round on the two candidates who got the higher vote.

  14.4       The same procedure specified in paragraph 14.1 shall apply to the district, parliamentary and local government elections provided that where no consensus is reached the IPC candidate shall be selected by the district, constituency or sub county electoral conferences in joint primaries to determine the single candidate.

  14.5       The National Electoral Affairs Committee shall organize and conduct elections specified in paragraphs 14.1 and the District, Constituency and Sub-County Electoral Affairs Committees shall organize and conduct elections specified in paragraph 14.3 above.

  14.6       The National Electoral Affairs Committee shall be the sole authority to issue a certificate of eligibility to be presented to the candidate's party for the processing of his or her nomination with the Uganda Electoral Commission.

  14.7       For avoidance of doubt and subject to  Section 18 of the Political Parties and Organization Act, 2005 no party shall have the mandate to endorse a candidate for purpose of elections except as hereinabove agreed.



The Cooperation may upon a written application admit any other political party into the alliance if it meets the following criteria, namely:

15.1            The Party is registered under the law.

15.2            The Party has held its National Delegates Conference (or other supreme organ of the Party) in the last five years. The Party has a known physical address.

15.3            The Party has a functional Secretariat.

15.4            The Party complies with its Constitution.

15.5            The Party has participated in at least one   national general election or one Parliamentary or District by-election.

15.6            The Party is committed to the objects of the Cooperation.

15.7            The Party is not otherwise allied in any way to another political party in Uganda which is not a member of this Cooperation or otherwise competes with the IPC.

15.8            The Party has been approved by two thirds majority of members of the Summit of this Cooperation.

15.9            No political party shall be admitted into the Cooperation unless it meets the above condition and any other benchmarks which the Summit may set.



In case any disagreement arises among any members of the Cooperation, whether directly related to the work of the Cooperation or would indirectly impact on the smooth execution of the mandate of the Cooperation, such disagreement shall be resolved following the procedures below:

16.1. The leaders of the concerned political parties or their designated representatives shall meet to amicably resolve the dispute.

16.2    In case the leaders of the affected parties cannot resolve the dispute, they shall refer it to the Summit of this Cooperation for resolution.

16.3    At all times when the dispute is under management for resolution, all members of the Cooperation shall avoid public discussion of the dispute.

16.4    The parties expressly agree that until all negotiations, mediation, and arbitration mechanism have been exhausted, no litigation in court of law shall be commenced by an aggrieved party.



17.1      On winning the elections, the Cooperation shall form a coalition government and each party whose candidate is not elected president of Uganda shall be eligible to the offices of Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Internal Affairs or Foreign Affairs.

17.2      Cabinet posts other than those mentioned in paragraph 1 shall be shared equitably provided 40% of the positions shall be reserved for women.

 

18.1      This Protocol shall be read together with the Inter-Party Cooperation Protocol signed on August 5, 2008 and if there is any conflict between the two protocols, this Protocol shall prevail.



19.1     The Cooperation shall continue in existence for a period of five years with effect from March 2011.