LWEMIYAGA County MP Theodore Sekikubo wants to hold talks with his longtime arch-rival, foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa, to end the infighting in Sembabule district.

After years of bad blood, name- calling and violence between factions loyal to the two politicians, Sekikubo’s gesture provides a new opportunity to diffuse tension in Sembabule. Their differences have paralysed services in the district and must be brought to an end.

For years after the 2006 elections, Sembabule failed to form a district due to lack of unity. Developmental projects introduced by one politician are undermined by the rival.

This warfare not only cripples development in Sembabule, but also costs the national taxpayer. Each time Police deploys heavily in Sembabule, Government spends millions of shillings that would better be spent on buying drugs or paying teachers.

During the last general elections the Electoral Commission sent to Sembabule two sets of polling officials instead of one to cater for the rivalry. Sekikubo should abide by his promise and Kutesa should accept to talk.

Hopefully they will set an example to many party members countrywide who were torn apart by violence and electoral malpractice during the NRM primaries.

The NRM, like all other parties, need a process of healing and reconciliation ahead of next year’s elections. A constituency where leaders are deeply divided is a recipe for violence, which undermines national development.