The year 2005 should be marked in Uganda's history as a year with major changes in its political arena and a spate of political tension testifies to this judgment.

During the year, the country has, amidst strong criticism on the way it was handled, continued its shift to multiparty politics that will see it hold its first ever multiparty elections in over 20 years early next year.

The Minister of Information and government spokesman, Nsaba Buturo told Xinhua in a recent interview that the government has made "major political success" in 2005 as it continues to exhibit what he called "high levels of democratic practices." CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

The year 2005 saw Uganda carry out its second constitutional review process since the country's constitution was promulgated in 1995.

This review was different from the others that have been held before as it drew much attention from both the Ugandans and the international community. Some referred to it as measuring rod, which could be used to gauge whether Uganda is politically maturing or not.

Key issues in the review process were the lifting of the presidential term limits and the return to multiparty system after the abolition of multiparty rule over 20 years ago.

According to the constitution, a president was only supposed to rule for a maximum of two five-year terms.

The government and its supporters were able to sail through a proposal, which led to the lifting of presidential term limits.

This paved way for the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni to run for another term after the expiry of his two constitutional terms next year.

This drew criticisms from the West, leading to some donor countries holding aid to the east African country. Just recently the British government withheld aid to Uganda worth 26 million US dollars. The argument fronted is that Uganda, which has been hailed internationally for making major democratic reforms, was sliding back to authoritarian rule. They said the constitutional amendments were made to favor those in power.

The Ugandan government countered by saying it's only Ugandans who can determine the country's destiny and not the others or " disgruntled oppositional politicians."

"As far as we are concerned there is no problem with the lifting of term limits, it is the right of Ugandans decide on what they want. They made their decision and that is that," said Buturo.

President Museveni's government has also said that it will not succumb to international pressure that will put the country's sovereignty at stake. ROAD TO MULTIPARTY ELECTION

The July 28, 2005 referendum allowed the return to multiparty politics after political parties were banned about 20 years ago for allegedly causing divisionism and ethnic tensions among Ugandans. The country was being governed under the unique no-party Movement system, which allowed candidates to stand as individuals and not on a party ticket.

This is not the story today, many Ugandans have now embraced the multiparty system with many clad in party colors and pining up posters in their houses, shops and on streets to show their commitment to individual parties.

Currently, political parties are traversing the countryside conversing support for their presidential candidates in next year's elections. Recently, six out of the 38 presidential aspirants were nominated to run in next year's presidential elections.

Uganda is now already in a political frenzy and the political temperatures are warming up. The arrest of a key opposition leader, Kizza Besigye in November sparked off the unprecedented two day protests that forced the central business district to shut down.

The arrest also sparked off international criticism which analysts said almost cost the country the bid to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2007. President Museveni assured CHOGM held in Malta recently that Besigye will have a fair trial.

Besigye, who had been in exile before coming back to Uganda, became the county's first presidential candidate to campaign from prison in Uganda's history. Besigye is one of the five presidential candidates vowing to take the presidency in next year 's elections. The Electoral Commission (EC) has also assured Ugandans that the country's elections slated for early next year will be free and fair, adding that the commission cannot be influenced by state agencies.

While addressing political party representatives at a meeting at the commission's headquarters in Kampala early this month, EC Chairman Badru Kigundu said that there is no way any state agents or person is going to influence the decision of the commission.

"We are an independent commission and we are going to follow the law while exercising our work. Be rest assured that next year's elections will be free and fair," said Kigundu.

It is indeed this year that saw Uganda's democratic practices put on a weighing scale. As some analyst have said, it is hope that a strong foundation has been built to ensure a smooth transition process leading to the 2006 general elections.

Source: Xinhua