National Dialogue Pilot-Test kicked off in Katakwi
The two-day pilot- test National dialogue has been launched from Katakwi district this morning.
The Uganda National Dialogue Process dubbed The Citizens’ Dialogue will enable the leaders to develop a better appreciation of how Citizens’ dialogues will be conducted to enhance the attainment of the vision of a just and morally upright society founded on socio-economic justice, popular governance and respect for the rule of law.
While giving the opening remarks at the dialogue, Dr. Thelma Awori, the head of delegation from the Secretariat said that the conveners of the Citizens’ dialogues will ensure that women, young people, the business community and traditionally marginalized groups are invited to participate in the dialogue.
The Member of Parliament for Usuk County Hon. Peter Ogwang said Uganda is at a time where a national dialogue is necessary.
He however stressed that besides dialoguing, there are issues that require to be dealt with in action instead of just dialogue.
Can. Justice James Ogoola clarified that the dialogue will be conducted under peaceful procedures.
He said this while addressing a press briefing, after presiding over the pre-dialogue briefing and orientation of session with district leaders.
“As a people, there are many things we can talk about ourselves and country. That is why since 2016, preparatory work was undertaken to determine the fundamental issues that we need to talk about and resolve in order to pursue our shared vision,” explained Justice Ogoola.
Five districts have been randomly selected for the pilot-test activity of the activity. The selected districts purposefully represent the 5 geographic regions of Uganda.
In northern Uganda, the dialogue is yet to be held in Gulu district, in central Uganda, it was conducted at Buikwe district, in Western Uganda, it was held at Kabarole district and in Eastern Uganda, Katakwi district is holding it today13th until 15th, August 2019.
The National Dialogue process is to be conducted on eight items which include; a National Political consensus, a National Consensus on Constitutionalism and the rule of law, a National Values consensus, a National diversity consensus, a National consensus on land, resources and climate change, a National consensus on an economy that works for everybody, a National consensus on quality of public service delivery and, a National consensus on implementation.
Since attainment of independence in 1962, the citizens of Uganda have missed opportunities to discuss and build consensus on key issues pertaining to their destiny.
As a consequence, Uganda’s development journey has been littered with violence, social injustices, weak institutions and bad governance.
The pilot exercise and the final national dialogue conversations are intended to plug these gaps.
