Elders forum calls for reconciliation
Mar 01, 2011
THE opposition and the ruling party (NRM) have been urged to unite and forge a way forward for the country after the just concluded presidential polls.
By FRANCIS EMORUT
THE opposition and the ruling party (NRM) have been urged to unite and forge a way forward for the country after the just concluded presidential polls.
The call was made by the National Elders’ Forum comprised of professors, former government ministers and ambassadors, retired judges and religious leaders.
Speaking during the meeting held on Monday, the interim chairperson of the Forum, retired former Principal Judge, Justice James Ogoola, noted that peace and reconciliation should prevail after the polls.
The Electoral Commission declared the NRM flag-bearer and incumbent, President Yoweri Museveni, the winner with 68% and his closest rival FDC’s Kizza Besigye got 26% of the votes cast.
The elders raised concern over the way the elections were conducted.
“It has come to our notice that there are some legitimate concerns on both sides of the political divide. We are convinced that although the elections were largely peaceful, they could not address some of the fundamental governance questions,†Ogoola said.
The elders said there was already a high level of frustration and desperation in some of the political groups which if not properly handled could lead to undemocratic tendencies.
Ogoola said the forum was ready to offer services to the aggrieved parties and the ruling party to promote reconciliation and healing.
“We are asking both sides to talk about what went wrong in the election process and come up with minimum agreeable standards,†he said.
The elders forum is soon meeting the aspirants who have rejected the outcome of the elections. Eight candidates contested for the top seat in the country.
They included Betty Kamya of Uganda Federal Alliance, Bidandi Ssali of People’s Progressive Party, Abed Bwanika of People’s Development Party, Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party and Olara Otunnu of Uganda People’s Congress.
Present in the meeting were former ministers Prof. Edward Rugumayo, Martin Aliker, Miriam Matembe, Paul Etyang, former EC boss Stephen Akabwai and Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala.
THE opposition and the ruling party (NRM) have been urged to unite and forge a way forward for the country after the just concluded presidential polls.
The call was made by the National Elders’ Forum comprised of professors, former government ministers and ambassadors, retired judges and religious leaders.
Speaking during the meeting held on Monday, the interim chairperson of the Forum, retired former Principal Judge, Justice James Ogoola, noted that peace and reconciliation should prevail after the polls.
The Electoral Commission declared the NRM flag-bearer and incumbent, President Yoweri Museveni, the winner with 68% and his closest rival FDC’s Kizza Besigye got 26% of the votes cast.
The elders raised concern over the way the elections were conducted.
“It has come to our notice that there are some legitimate concerns on both sides of the political divide. We are convinced that although the elections were largely peaceful, they could not address some of the fundamental governance questions,†Ogoola said.
The elders said there was already a high level of frustration and desperation in some of the political groups which if not properly handled could lead to undemocratic tendencies.
Ogoola said the forum was ready to offer services to the aggrieved parties and the ruling party to promote reconciliation and healing.
“We are asking both sides to talk about what went wrong in the election process and come up with minimum agreeable standards,†he said.
The elders forum is soon meeting the aspirants who have rejected the outcome of the elections. Eight candidates contested for the top seat in the country.
They included Betty Kamya of Uganda Federal Alliance, Bidandi Ssali of People’s Progressive Party, Abed Bwanika of People’s Development Party, Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party and Olara Otunnu of Uganda People’s Congress.
Present in the meeting were former ministers Prof. Edward Rugumayo, Martin Aliker, Miriam Matembe, Paul Etyang, former EC boss Stephen Akabwai and Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala.