Kampala — The Democratic Party (DP) has not entered, and has no intention of entering into an alliance with UPC.

Mr Paul Semogerere, National Consultative Council (NCC) member (Moshi) and general secretary of the former DP, said in Kampala yesterday. Semogerere was commenting on the reported joint press conference held by veteran DP and NCC member (Mukono) Mr L. Sebalu, and the minister of labour Mr Paulo Muwanga (UPC) on both parties position about the forthcoming general elections.

He said that the DP has not been a party to the statement. However he did not refute the party on the issues under debate in the National Consultative Council. He said the DP endorses the proposals to hold a general election this year and "we are prepared to give all the necessary assistance and cooperation to achieve this end".

The DP objects to any screening of intending candidates. On presidential and parliamentary elections, Semogerere said his party holds that if there will be any presidential election by universal suffrage; such election ought to be held concurrently with the parliamentary elections. District and urban councils should be held after general elections, he said, adding that the DP is opposed to the banning of political parties.

However, the NCC member said that his party is convinced that it is useful in the interests of national unity to have a broad-based national government embracing various political organisations.

Therefore, DP has no objections to holding the forthcoming general elections under the umbrella of the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF), provided "the term under the UNLF umbrella is not interpreted as to deny, openly or tacitly the existence of political parties, and, not treated as a party to make Uganda a one-party state."

Some of the proposals made in the recent joint statement, Semogerere noted, had not been discussed, "let alone agreed upon by the DP; and therefore, did not reflect the considered views of the party". Muwanga and Sebalu are reported to have told newsmen that their two parties (DP and UPC) advocated for an electoral system that would allow the national political parties under their identities".

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Political and Diplomatic Commission of the UNLF who is also Minister of Culture, Rehabilitation and Community Development Mr Dan Wadada Nabudere, has said there is need to make some amendments in the 1967 constitution because it gives too much power to the President.

Nabudere was officially opening the UNLF Jinja Branch. He emphasised that the task of restoring democracy in Uganda was one of the top priorities of the UNLF government. He added that the UNLF stands for national unity of all the people regardless of political and religious differences. He said all that is needed is unity because "if we get divided now, we might land in the same problems as those which were brought by Amin.

Nabudere reminded the people that a new voters' register will be prepared next month. He thanked members of "Nyumba Kumi" in Jinja and Iganga for their efforts in arresting vehicles, which smuggle Uganda coffee.

Earlier, the branchchairman, Mr John Lyavala.Lwanga, urged the government to take a closer look at the moral fiber internal security forces. He suggested that experts from friendly, countries should be invited as advisers in the moral rehabilitation of those forces.