Which way for national dialogue?

According to Siranda, the personalities of individuals behind the dialogue is also a sticking issue. He says members of the National Fellowship of Born Again Churches, another member of the IRCU, is full of factions. He adds that some of the bishops are too close to Museveni. “There are many issues; who is the funder of the dialogue? If we are going to ceasefire, can we mobilise freely?”

He adds: “We cannot dialogue when Kawooya, our member is being beaten in broad daylight.”

Siranda says the issues they raised have not been answered a month since they wrote to The Elders Forum.

Opposition parties view the ruling NRM party with a lot of suspicion; especially its chairman President Museveni. And Museveni’s position will inevitably be a point of discussion in the dialogue and it remains to be seen on the reactions of those attending.

Richard Todwong, the NRM deputy secretary general says any questions of violence or any inappropriate acts the NRM is accused of should be discussed in the dialogue. “NRM and all its members have all committed to the structure of the dialogue,” he says.

“This will be an issue of brainstorming, all issues will come up. It is too early for anyone to accuse the NRM of not being committed. All issues shall be dealt with.”

It is proposed that after meeting in December, the respective Secretaries General of the parties will be meeting often between January and May next year.

All seems to be in place for the big meet. But it is a longtime between now and Dec. 12, especially in Uganda’s political environment which can be quite volatile.