Leaders from various political backgrounds in Uganda have called for the establishment of a national reconciliation platform in an effort to address the prevailing challenges in Uganda. The call was made by Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao during the launch of the Building Synergies-Uganda (BSU) think-tank on Friday, November 10, 2023.
Minister Mao emphasized the need for dialogue facilitated by a reconciliation commission to reconcile a nation that he described as “a hypocrisy where everyone is pretending to do something.” He stated that such dialogue could place the country “on a better footing,” allowing citizens to openly discuss issues affecting them.
During the launch, Mao, also the leader of the Democratic Party (DP), the country’s oldest political party, urged Ugandans to transcend tribal labels. He highlighted the historical attachment of wrongdoings to specific tribes and stressed the importance of finding a formula for coexistence.
Beatrice Kiraso, interim chairperson of Building Synergies Uganda, expressed concern about the current state of the nation, stating that citizens have little interest in the country’s affairs. The think-tank aims to shift the conversation by engaging in evidence-based discussions on democratic governance, socioeconomic transformation, and holistic human progress.
Francis Mwijukye, Buhweju County MP, cautioned against prioritizing reforms over a transitional period, emphasizing the need for leaders responsible for overseeing constitutional amendments benefiting all Ugandans.
Alice Alaso, secretary general of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), urged the government not to treat political parties as enemies. She stressed the importance of including different political parties in democratic processes for effective dialogue.
Muwanga Kivumbi, Butambala County MP, highlighted the necessity of allowing citizens to express their opinions without fear of repercussions for true inclusiveness in Uganda’s democratic governance.
Primus Atukwase Bahiigi, country director of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, emphasized the importance of home-grown solutions to address issues such as social media hatred, celebration of death, and the gap between the rich and the poor.
According to Kiraso, the Building Synergies Uganda think-tank recommends constitutional and legal reforms, regular leader-to-citizen interfaces, and inclusive, impartial, and compulsory leadership training for all elected leaders based on their research findings.
