'Let's design more inclusive political system'

By Darious Magara  

KAMPALA - As Uganda readies for general elections due early next year, Rev. Canon Grace Kaiso has launched a book which pushes for the creation of a political system that promotes harmony, democracy and development.

Kaiso said many African countries suffer from periodic violence, which is retarding sustainable development and consequently keeping citizens in perpetual poverty and conflict.

He is the general secretary of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA).

He talked of “selfish politicians” and “politicians that are not statesmen” but who are only in leadership positions for their own interest(s).

Kaiso told journalists in Kampala that his book is trying to address the fundamental issues of lack of sustainable peace in African countries, including Uganda.

The 58-page publication is titled The Search for Sustainable Peace (the hard and plausible choices facing Ugandans)

It was launched at the All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero.

Kaiso, based in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, said his exposure to various African governments and their challenges compelled him to write the book and give pastoral guidance. 

He said Ugandans and Africans must stop copying and pasting political systems that do not fit in their political setting.

“Ugandan leaders, both political religious leaders and academicians should design a political system which is more inclusive and suits our political terrain. Let us stop copying things that do not work for us.”

 He added: “We need to find a political system that is able to help us end this bickering and animosity that characterizes our politics and which is responsible for upsetting the harmonious co-existence in the communities.

“Our political parties create a framework that turns people in our communities against each other because they support different political parties. This makes it difficult for people to work together to tackle issues hindering their development.”

The author also talked of the need to “find a system that will mobilize all the skills we have in the population without discrimination so as to harness our capacity in making Uganda effective in the global economy.”

“What we need is to breakdown the existing political structures which turn us into enemies of one another and establish a system that mobilizes us around a common agenda for sustainable peace and development for all Ugandans.”

Rev Kaiso said Ugandans and Africans must be prepared to sacrifice self-gratification for the sake of serving the common good that is guided by “our national motto: For God and my Country”.

An extract from his book on page 30:


“The responsibility of the current MPs

At this critical time of our history, the MPs must salvage the country from the impeding breakdown of civilized politics and possible anarchy. They must rethink a political architecture that is capable of guaranteeing collaboration, renewed commitment to national solidarity as opposed to party loyalty.

They must look at issues that will enable us to unlock the potential of Ugandans to assume an enviable position in the globalized economy in a more sustainable, cohesive and peaceful manner. This will require thinking outside the box of the current narrow political interests. It will entail adopting a posture similar to that of the early settlers in America who, shunned self-aggrandizement in order to lay a solid political foundation for their country”