Chairman’s Speech at the Launch of N.O.D.

The National Coordinator,
Distinguished Delegates,
Their Excellencies, the Ambassadors and High
Commissioners and their Representatives, and
Members of the UN Family,
Members of the Opposition Political Parties,
Members of the Press,
Distinguished Guests and Members of the Public,

Profound Greetings.

I am humbled by your kind acceptance to come and witness
this historic occasion of the official birth of our Party New Order
Democracy (NOD).

It is with great distress that I have to write this speech from exile and have it read before you on my behalf. I would otherwise have been most priviledged, if the opportunity was there, for me to personally not only present myself before you, but also to read this statement personally. I have every hope and ardent faith that the opportunity for me to be with you will soon come about, not least because of the tremendous efforts NOD and other opposition parties, and indeed, other interest groups, will bear upon the Museveni government, to allow for dissent and accept all opposition campaign platforms.

The Party we are pronouncing today is not new. NOD has been in existence since 1993, when it was founded by a cross section of Ugandans of like mind, after soul searching lasting at least a decade.

However, NOD has been in limbo since 1993 due to Museveni’s draconian outlawing of political opposition politics. NOD could not therefore register, but at least NOD was able to politic quietly, introducing the argument and debate on to the Ugandan floor, for the need for a New Order. The argument was overwhelmingly accepted by a cross section of our people. And today is the result and testimony of that campaign; which in itself, is also as a result of the tremendous work achieved within such a short time by the National Executive which had the mammoth task to put everything together within the undemocratic conditionalities and time limits Museveni’s government has set for registration.

Congratulations, to you the National Executive.

NOD’s primary objective was and is, to stop the continuous bloodletting and dictatorships that have characterized governance of our country, and to return the country to the road of multi party democratic dispensation, respect for human life and dignity, observance and adherence to human rights, rule of just law, respect for the individual conscience and God, and development. NOD seeks for national unity, forgiveness and reconciliation. NOD will defeat thru’ inclusiveness, the vices of tribalism, nepotism, patronage, moral decadence and other cancers eating away our political organs.

We shall make the fight against corruption a cornerstone for the rehabilitation of our country.

NOD seeks a foreign policy of good neighbourliness with all our neighbours without exception. NOD will cooperate and fully participate in the UN, AU, EAC, and any other regional fora, with full compliance of all their instruments. And we shall campaign for the elimination of nuclear, biological, radiological, chemical and other non conventional weapons of mass destruction, including the fight against terrorism.

NOD will focus its attention to the preservation and conservation of the environment

NOD seeks Peace, Peace, Peace.
NOD seeks Democracy, Democracy, Democracy
NOD seeks National Unity and Development

So therefore, the opportunity to reverse all the sordid past, and to begin afresh is now before us. We must seize this opportunity while remembering the sacrifices of all those of our compatriots who have given their lives in pursuit of this change, the New Order, the ideals we now stand for as NOD.

Their blood will atone for our iniquities. Their memories will give us the hope and political Will to reclaim our country back. The suffering of our people for two decades and more, will give us the determination to forge forward and place NOD in the vantage position to deliver the country.

In this regard, I salute and pay homage to all the opposition Parties in Uganda. For their struggle is our struggle. I pay my deepest respect to the international community especially the donor community, for surely, they have heard our cry.

We want to thank the ordinary downtrodden Ugandan, who never gave up hope; the students, the church, civil society and all, for their patience and understanding. You have waited for 20 long and bloody years for this change.

Now we need your unflinching support to rid Uganda of the vice of “No Party Democracy” dictatorship. We need your support to begin the healing process. We need your support to uproot dictatorship and plant peace, democracy, national unity, human rights, rule of just law, and for development. We need a New Order, that is to say: NEW WINE IN AN NEW BAG.

In solemnity, I do say to you now that NOD will be that new wine in a new bag.

Therefore, go all out to campaign and ensure that NOD is registered in the possible shortest time, but in any case, long before Museveni’s undemocratic deadline of April 30th. Talk to the people and freely spread the good news of change thru’ NOD, because NOD will be at the Presidential and General Elections next year.

However, I must warn you against complacency. The road we have embarked on is full of political hurdles put there by the enemies of freedom. They will cross our path in every which ever way. They will ask for the highest price. The enemy of freedom will try and infiltrate our ranks. They will try and divide us. They will try and sabotage every effort we make. After 20 years of dictatorship, the enemies of freedom will not willingly give up power on a silver platter. The State machinery will be on the loose to intimidate or worse.

You must therefore remain focused, determined and steadfast.

This is the reason why we must oppose the attempts by Museveni to undo the two term clause on the Presidential term. The proposed referendum is a maneuver to hang on to power. Even the Constitutional Amendment Bill Article 1 new clause (5) is deliberately flawed, because it provides for the courts to “inquire” into the subject matter and its compliance of procedure, but is silent on the courts power of determination.

We have to oppose this referendum whatever it takes, In the same vein, we appeal to the international community and here I must pay particular tribute to the Dutch Minister for Cooperation and Development, the Hon. Agnes Vanaaden, for taking an unequivocal stand against Museveni’s machinations. We urge the rest of the international community not to relent in their quest for a free and democratic Uganda.

NOD further demands that the 2006 elections must be conducted by a truly non partisan representative Electoral Commission representing all opposition parties, civil society, the church, the student body, the labour movement etc.

Now, in humility, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my utmost honour and priviledge, to declare NOD Launched.

And May the Good Lord Bless You All.

THANK YOU

Dr. Okiror Oumo
Interim NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
New Order Democracy (NOD).