Nairobi — THE PRESENT debate on President Museveni's pledge to lift the ban on political parties has not convinced pluralism advocates that the head of state is serious about democratic reforms in Uganda.

Outspoken Member of Parliament and the secretary-general of the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD), Michael Mabikke, told The EastAfrican that they were not placated by President Museveni's statements on allowing parties.

"We are not convinced that the Movement is genuine. While it talks about lifting the ban on political parties, we shall continue with our plans force it to do so," said a member of the Democratic Party.

For the Movement to convince the country that it was committed to opening up the political space, it must repeal some sections of the constitution, particularly article 269, which bans political parties, repeal the Movement Act and also shelve the anti-terrorism law, said DP officials.

"Unless there are concrete steps by the Movement, such as the repeal of some controversial laws, we cannot take President Museveni's word seriously," said Mabikke.

He said it had become difficult to trust the Movement because it "keeps changing the goal posts when it suits it."

The same view is shared by other multipartyists, who say that the statements by some Movementists on unbanning of political parties cannot be taken seriously.

Mr Nelson Umah Tete, an opposition politician, says that the pledges made by the Movement on multipartyism will only sound sincere once the president issues a decree that allows pluralism.

"This will prove that the president is sincere in his statements," said Mr Tete, who failed to win the Nakawa constituency in Kampala in the 1996 parliamentary election.

"This move is strategic because the president's recommendations to the Movement National Executive Committee, National Convention, Constitutional Review Commission and the Cabinet could prove misleading," said Mr Umah Tete.

He pointed out that all these organs were unilaterally created and manned the Movement cadres.

However, Ofwono Opondo, the director of information at the Movement's secretariat, said the debate on the return to political parties would have to be approved by relevant Movement organs, besides the electorate voting on it in referendum.

"Above all, the restoration of pluralism and political stability have been the cornerstones of the Movement push to empower and re-enfranchise Ugandans to decide their destiny," said Ofwono.

In 1999, some political parties tried to form a coalition to force the Movement out of power. However, the move failed as the parties were consumed by internal disputes, with some preferring to go it alone. The disputes denied them a block vote.

The parties now seem to have realised that the Movement is so strong that it will win again if the opposition parties choose to go to the polls as individual entities.

Last week, Ken Lukyamuzi, an opposition leader, told journalists that in 2006, the parties will form a coalition similar to the one that saw Kanu lose power in the 2002 Kenya general election.

Mr Mabikke and other members of Uganda People's Congress said such a coalition would not be the first of its kind in Uganda because, during the 1996 presidential election, leading political parties opposed President Museveni as single entity.

Two weeks ago, the media quoted President Museveni as saying that the 18-year old ban on political parties would affect foreign direct investment to the country.

Fifty-two per cent of Uganda's budget is supported by donor, which gives them a direct hand in which direction the country's politics should take.