Embrace national dialogue, UPC urges Ugandans

Aug 14, 2019

A team comprising of eminent persons of purpose have drawn and executed a program whose intention is to domesticate and bring national dialogue process to the domain of all citizens

The Uganda People's Congress (UPC) has called on Ugandans to embrace the nationwide dialogue forums which are ongoing, to pass on their concerns and have them documented for further action at a higher level.

While addressing journalists at the party's weekly briefing at the party headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday, the party's national chairman, Lawrence Okae, urged Ugandans to desist from any violent approaches towards the change of Government.

"We no longer want any bloodshed in the country as a way of changing leadership," he said.

He stressed no matter the kind of problems facing this country, Ugandans need to consider peaceful approaches to create change in the country.

"This national dialogue is our brainchild as UPC and we shall continue to push for it as the best way towards sorting our differences as Ugandans," he added.

He urged all political players within the opposition and other groups, to embrace the move; to avoid dividing Ugandans based on mere colours.

"The dialogue is bigger than the parties and their colours. It is about issues beyond individuals and political parties but for all the people of Uganda. We must push for peace and co-existence. This is what Ugandans need to move on and work as a block," Okae noted.

He said a team comprising of eminent persons of purpose have drawn and executed a program whose intention is to domesticate and bring national dialogue process to the domain of all citizens throughout the country to record their concerns.

The team which is already moving around the country includes the government, The Elders Forum of Uganda (TEFU), Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU); Inter-Party Organisation Dialogue (IPOD), Women Situation Room (WSR), Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) and the National Consultative Forum (NCF) among others.

Okae said TEFU team led by Justice James Ogola and IRCU led Mufti Ramadhan Mubajje are traversing the East and Northern part of the country, while the deputy Attorney General (AG) Mwesigwa Rukutana leads the team to the Western region.  

He noted that all efforts are geared towards leading the country to the dialogue process as the most peaceful feasible way by which the country can heal, reconcile and unite.

At the same briefing; Okae expressed concern over the failure of government to train the youth before releasing funds under the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP).

He noted that as result, many youth groups end up misusing the funds and fail to refund it as required.

"That is the reason many groups have been running away while others end up in jail. The government needs to always value the capacity of the youth groups who want the money. They need to be first prepared with the necessary skills," he added. 

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