Kenya’s Raila Odinga Addresses Ugandan Party leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2005

Kampala, Uganda For the past 25 years, political parties have been banned from entering candidates in elections in Uganda. In 2003, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni announced his recommendation for the adoption of multi-party politics. The passage of a referendum to amend Uganda’s constitution in favor of multi-party elections is expected to follow in June 2005. IRI is working with Uganda’s political parties to help them develop their organizations as they prepare for the first multi-party elections in early 2006.

In mid-March, Raila Odinga, the Kenyan Minister of Roads, Public Works, and Housing, lent his expertise during a training hosted by IRI for several of Uganda’s political parties. Odinga has been a visible figure in the Kenyan government and holds experience at the top levels of leading Kenyan political parties. Renowned for his bid for Kenya’s presidency in 1997 and his leadership in the ruling National Rainbow Coalition, Odinga had many lessons to share with Uganda’s parties. The Minister also discussed the dangers of forming personality or ethnically-based parties.

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