BY Moses Mulondo

The Democratic Party (DP) has called for a national dialogue involving all stakeholders to address the growing insecurity, political injustices and other issues affecting the nation.

Referring to the recent violent attacks by gunmen at Mbuya barracks, Bombo barracks and Entebbe police station, the DP leader Norbert Mao told journalists on Tuesday that it is possible some Ugandans have resorted to violence to express their grievances with the NRM government.

“We are concerned about the growing insecurity in the country. The country is facing a crisis. There is always one volcanic eruption following another. We need to have a national conference involving all political parties, the civil society, cultural leaders, and religious leaders to get out of the current frustrations,” Mao said.

He cited high corruption, violation of human rights, bad governance, oppression of the opposition, injustices in the army, high unemployment, and increased crime rate as some of the national problems which need to be urgently amicably solved to save the country from descending into armed insurgencies.

The former presidential candidate called upon Members of Parliament to request the Government to present a detailed report on the three attacks and explain to Ugandans the forces behind the incidents.

Disputing police reports attributing the three incidents to thugs, Mao cited the 1980 attack on Kabamba by the NRA rebels which Dr. Milton Obote downplayed calling it an act by bandits yet it became the genesis of a dangerous civil war.

He advised government not to take secession threats by the MPs from the North arguing if the grievances of the people of Northern Uganda and other disgruntled regions like Buganda are not addressed, peace cannot be guaranteed.

The DP leader cautioned the Government against the recently introduced Bio-technology and bio-safety Bill arguing it would result into Uganda’s agricultural sector becoming dependent on foreign companies for seeds since genetically modified seeds cannot be replanted.

He said DP is conducting research and will present a detailed report to parliament on the Bill next week.

He also congratulated Kenya’s president elect, Uhuru Kenyatta and commended Kenyans for conducting a credible election.