President Yoweri Museveni will on November 21, 2018 launch the Uganda National Dialogue that seeks to provide all Ugandan citizens with the opportunity to proactively address root causes of conflict, instability and injustices that have afflicted the nation since independence.
The dialogue process is premised on the fundamental belief that national diversity is an asset rather than a problem.
Representation must reflect gender, ethnic, regional, religious, demographic and other forms of diversity that characterize the Ugandan society.
According to the statement released by the chairman for Inter Religious Council of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, and the chairman of Elders Forum rtd Justice James Ogoola, The process of national dialogue emphasizes opportunities for all citizens-men and women, young and old- to participate through a variety of modalities. Citizens will participate through a series of formal and informal discussions, focus group meetings, debates, memoranda, traditional and social media and newspaper articles,” reads in part.
“Representation will be based on regions and districts recognized at independence in 1962, registered political party organizations, institutionalized religious leaders, recognized traditional and cultural institutions, Parliament of Uganda, government officials professional bodies, academia, media business community, informal business associations, children, youth and students and people with disabilities,” reads in part of the statement.
Others are: veterans, senior citizens, Uganda local government association, Uganda urban authorities association, Ugandans in the diaspora, performing artistes and entertainers, sports fraternity, workers organizations, charity organizations, and observers from the diplomatic missions, development partners and East African Community, African Union, Commonwealth, United Nations, and international community.
They noted that, the dialogue will be guided by identified thematic consensus on values of land and natural resources, economy that works for everybody, service delivery, political commitment, Constitutionalism and rule of law and Implementation modalities.
The Convening Organizations which include Inter- Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), Elders Forum of Uganda (TEFU), Inter-Party Organization for Democracy (IPOD), National Consultative Forum (NCF), Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda, Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET) will determine the number of delegates to be invited to the dialogue at both regional and national levels.
Representation will be based on a pre-determined base number plus, an additional number of delegates allocated to the respective segment at both regional and national levels.
The dialogue is expected to unite the country into peaceful and prosperous nation where all Ugandans live in harmony and work towards enhancing the country’s wellbeing.