Teso women demand for National dialogue

NATIONAL DIALOGUE

TESO - Women in Teso sub-region are demanding for a revival of plans to have the National dialogue held soon.

Drawn from nine districts in Teso sub-region, the women believe that the dialogue is the only avenue that will help the country address pressing issues.

 "The agenda issues that we would like the national dialogue to address should include the crisis of land ownership and land access where women and widows are being deprived of their land rights," stated the memo signed by 100 women leaders.

The dialogue is pioneered by the Interreligious Council of Uganda, The Elders Forum of Uganda, Citizen's Coalition for Electoral Democracy and National Consultative Forum among others.

"Increase in nomination fee for candidates which disenfranchises women and young people seeking elective offices is addressed by this dialogue because women lack resources as compared to men," The Teso women said.

The organizers of the dialogue revealed that the consultative talks shall be launched by March but Teso women feel there are no signs to confirm that the dialogue will take place.

"The destruction of the cattle economy that used to be the foundation of the sub-region's economy and the unfulfilled promise of compensation is critical to the mothers of Teso," said Kolositika Alungat of Katakwi district.

Though the women were appreciative to government for its support towards the dialogue, the women demanded that both the conveners and government heed to their promise of holding the dialogue this month.

In December 18^th last year President Yoweri Museveni and the conveners agreed at State House Entebbe to hold the dialogue by March.

However Teso women have resolved to constitute a Teso sub-region women's national dialogue with a purpose of ensuring that Ateso women will fully participate in the dialogue.

Esther Anyiko, the woman council for Kaberamido district and Aperikira sub-counties proposed that President Yoweri Museveni and the leading opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye should be present on that day.

"We love the two leaders and that is the reason why we as women would love to see the two share the podium because we shall be in a dialogue," Anyiko said.

Godber Tumushabe an Associate Director at the Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies expressed gratitude to the Teso women for opening up about the dialogue.

"I'm impressed with you for demanding for a dialogue instead of demanding to meet the President with hopes of him settling your issues. The President should not be dragged to petty issues such as boundary conflict that the district officials can address," Tumushabe noted.