Govt, parties talks open on sour note
By Elias Biryabarema & Mwanguhya Charles Mpagi
Jan 20, 2004
KAMPALA â The much-anticipated talks between the government and major opposition groups started on a rocky note at Fairway Hotel yesterday.
The talks are designed to agree how to open up the country to multiparty politics in the run-up to the 2006 general elections.The delegates disagreed yesterday over who should chair the talks and whether it is a âdialogueâ or a mere âconsultationâ between the two groups.
Government is funding the talks.Seven major opposition parties and groups are attending the talks.
The Uganda Peoples Congress, the Democratic Party, the Justice Forum, The Free Movement, the National Democrats Forum, the Conservative Party and the Reform Agenda are participating.In his opening statement, the National Political Commissar and convener of the talks, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, frequently referred to the talks as âconsultationsâ.
However, the head of the 14-man opposition delegation, Dr Jean Barya of The Free Movement objected.âWe want dialogue and not consultations,â he said.
âIf government wanted consultations on what opposition wants, it would get that so easily without this elaborate meeting. âA consensus that we all want canât be got on mere consultations but dialogue.â The opposition also opposed Kiyongaâs
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Citizens:
The fact is that there are pressing national issues which if not addressed will most likely plunge our dear country into more and deeper political catastrophe.
Holding a consultative (as the movement wants to do) meeting simply implies that the regime is not serious about discussing and resolving this pressing national issue.
Holding a dialogue, on the other hand, implies that all the views, the aspirations, the concerns of the parties to the talks are being laid out and address to the satisfaction of the political parties.
Every Ugandan is watching the outcome of the talks with very keen interest
Matek
