Museveni observed that leaders are expected to be conversant with people’s problems and duly devise corrective measures.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged opposition politicians to exploit all possible avenues of acquiring their goals instead of resorting to vote rigging and election violence.
Museveni who is the chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) stressed that even if one holds a divergent view from the rest, application of violent means is not the solution, and advised that it is better to put forward one’s views and seek dialogue.
He likened politics to medicine with the leader being the doctor who administers the right medication for a diagnosed ailment without taking recourse to violence.
He was on Thursday addressing leaders of six political parties subscribing to the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) including the NRM, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) headed by Patrick Oboi Amuriat, Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) led by Jimmy Akena, Nobert Mao’s Democratic Party (DP), the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) led by Saddam Gayira and JEEMA headed by Asuman Basalirwa. They met at Kololo Ceremonial grounds.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) which enjoys the biggest membership in the opposition, was conspicuously absent from the meeting and their Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya complained that as the leaders of the opposition, it was imperative that the NUP attend the meeting. Those present signed an understanding to work together under the IPOD.
Secretary generals including Richard Todwong (NRM), Gerald Siranda (DP), Nandala Mafabi (FDC), Fred Ebil (UPC), David Alira (PPP), Fred Kasajja (JEEMA) and parliament speaker Annet Anita Among were in attendance.
Naggalama SS: Village School Competing Academically With Urban Infrastructural Giants
Reading resolutions of the meeting which was closed to the media, Todwong said they agreed to jointly observe peace, and the government continued financial support to IPOD including availing to parties funds for campaigns.
Museveni observed that leaders are expected to be conversant with people’s problems and duly devise corrective measures. He later handed over IPOD’s leadership to DP’s Nobert Mao who took over leadership from him (Museveni).