POLE2/3: THE 1980 GENERAL ELECTIONS

THE 1980 GENERAL ELECTIONS

The Uganda people’s congress [UPC] was led by its founder president doctor Milton Obote. This same party had been in power between 1962 and 1971. Its members dominated the powerful position in the UNLF government controlled the military commission.

 The Democratic Party [D.P]

The president general of D.P was Paul . K . Semwogerere former close aid of the former popular D.P president Benedict Kiwanuka who was killed by Amin.

Conservative party [CP]

The president general and founder was Joshua, Mayanja Nkanji up to this time the last Katikkiro of Buganda cp was promo achy federalist party

 Uganda patriotic movement [UPM]

It was lead by Y.K Museveni and other founders included Bindandi Ssali, Kirunda Kivejinja, Eriya Kategaya. This was a party which had a new approach to the politics of Uganda.

The two old parties enjoyed advantages over the new ones

In May 1980 Milton Obote returned to Uganda from and he received a hero’s welcome one he had stepped on Bushhenyi soil his companies began.

Many while U.P.M leaders fearing the grain of the U.P.C approached D.P so that to unite to defeat. But DP leaders decline.

All fear leaders led to their elections in their constitution except Obote who decline daubing that he had out drawn the politics of constituencies.

U.P.C obtained it seats unopposed before an election were carried out

Elections were extended to eleventh December up from 10^th December to delays and influence.

Announcement of the results began on 10 December and in the morning of 11^th December it was clear that D.P was heading for Victoria with 63 seats approved by returning offices. Then Paul Muwanga the chairman military officers and any other person from announcing any election results before being cleared by true chairman military commission [E.C].

Whenever refined this decree was to pay a fine of 500,000/= imprisoned for syrs or both. This decree was said to have taken effect from 10^th December implying that even results announced before were not recognized.

After a long period of silence the announcements began again and even in some areas where DP had earlier on been said to have won such seats where now going for UPC.

Final results showed that UPC had worn with 74 seats in parliaments, DP with SI, UPM, 1 and cp got nothing.

Museveni and Mauganja had lost parliamentary race in their own constituencies.

An international common wealth observer group which comes to monitor the polls approved the elections as having been worthy and valued.

Milton the president of UPC was sworn in as the president of Uganda

The outcome of the election results were rejected by UPM and DP.

The UPC was accused of ridging elections and UPM leaders criticized DP for accepting to go to the parliament as an opposition group.

UPM candidate doctor Chrispurs Kiyonga refused to take up his seat in parliament.

 HOW THE ELECTIONS WERE RIGGED

During registration of voters it was made easy for UPC members to register than members of their parties.

Any district commission sympathetic to UPC were appointed as the refining appears were appointed considered to be dismissed.

West Nile ambassadress of October 1980 were intended to dirt able lie voters there who were mainly D.P members

Many intending candidates from other parties were blocked from being nominated eg Changomacho [UPM], father Okoti [DP]

Constituencies were unfairly to give advantage to UPC.

 WHY DID THE MILITARY COMMISSION ORGANIZE FOR THE ELECTIONS IN 1980

To know who their friends and enemies were

To determine which areas to deny or give resources

To give legitimacy to the UPC government

To get international respect

RE-CONSTRUCTION AND REVIVAL OF THE COUNTRY

Revival of the growing of cotton and coffee by offering high prices in the country

Allocation of foreign exchange to priority areas co industries

Control of government expenditure to reduce money in circulation and control inflation

Encouragement of the return of Asians

Measures like devaluation were carried out in order to stablise the value of Ugandan shillings

The was increased in economic performance but shot lived

Value of Ugandan shillings continued to fall in relation to foreign currency

Foreign exchange was scarce leading to development of kibanda market

Expenditure on imports was far higher than revenue from exports.

There was an increase in other things

Defense pending were high due to existence of war in the south and west of the country

Infrastructures like roads were being blown up by the NRM land mines

Essential commodities like salt, sugar, soap, paraffin went lacking / missing on the market resulting into hoarding and black market.

Cash crop farmers were frustrated by high corruption and inefficient co-operatives.

There was high increase in the foreign debt.

 DIFFICULTIES FACED BY THE OBOTE  II  GOVERNMENT.

Obote was deeply hated in Buganda the heart land of Uganda.

Obote failed to realize that Uganda had changed the needed a new approach of reconciliation and progress rates rather than cheap empty promises

The government was rejected as illegitimate and this meant stone apposing, the moment it was sworn in upm members want to the bush.

The war and killings in Luwero triangle soiled Obote‘s image within the country and abroad.

Luwero was developed cracks in Obote’s camp were some members like pail Muwanga were in far peace talks. Wet Obote and the Oyite Ojob’s weren’t.

Langi- Acholi alliance developed a crack when the Acholi realizes that Obote never trusted them

Death of quite Ojok who was Obote’s pillar demoralized the solders and spelt doom to Obote.

Economic problems such as inflation and balance of payment problems caused a lot of un rest among the people.

A VIDEO ABOUT 1980 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN UGANDA