Presidential aspirants Col Dr Kiiza Besigye and John Patrick Amama Mbabazi have agreed on the principle of fielding a single candidate to face off with President Yoweri Museveni in the 2016 elections.
The two reportedly reached the agreement following meetings in the United Kingdom, held under the auspices of the Kofi Annan Foundation.
In a statement released October 29, the parties agreed on a number of issues. “We shall go into the elections, as agreed, as a single coalition with one presidential, candidate and we shall form an election protection mechanism,” reads the statement in part.
According to the statement, cabinet shall consist of the President, the vice president, the prime minister, the two deputy prime ministers, and other ministers.
The Prime Minister is to have the authority to perform executive functions as shall be provided for by the parties to the agreement, and under the agreement the President will have powers to appoint the Prime Minister but has no powers to remove him from office.
However, in the agreement it is not stated who will be the flag bearer in the elections that are slated for February next year.
But a source told The Eagle Online that Mbabazi was destined to become ‘Ceremonial President’, while Dr Besigye would become ‘Executive Prime Minister’.
Meanwhile, the two parties also agreed that the president shall appoint members of the cabinet whom the he will have agreed upon with the Prime Minister based on the principle of portfolio balance as shall be specified by the parties to this agreement;
“The removal of any minister of the coalition shall be subject to consultation and concurrence in writing by the parties to this agreement,” reads the statement.
It also says following the election, the government of national unity and reform shall, within the first year, carry out democratic reforms and provide for constitutional governance and free and fair elections within a period not exceeding two years.
“We wish to state, finally, that we are fully committed to unity and the fielding of a single presidential candidate,” reads the statement in conclusion.
