Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, People’s Progressive Party President has faulted intellectuals who are advocating for use of guns to change government instead of guiding the country to a democratic path. His reaction follows preliminary findings of a new appraisal of the 2011 polls showing that change of government is unlikely to occur through elections under the current political environment.
The research was carried out by academics from the Political Science department of Makerere University and the French Institute for research and development. According to the researchers, the 2011 post election violence reflected public dissatisfaction with Uganda’s electoral processes.
But Bidandi says intellectuals should find way to direct the country to a democratic path instead of sounding war drums. He says that it is against this background that his party has an obligation to realign and redirect the country along the lines of non violent means towards change of government.
Speaking at the PPP five year strategic planning meeting held over the weekend, Bidandi said the PPP approach will help the country to avoid the past experience which led to bloodshed. Conrad Mark David, a consultant from the West Minister Organization in England says that however much the political situation is polluted in Uganda; there must be a starting point to build stronger parties.
Conrad said participating in politics is fighting for one’s rights, adding that people should not sit back and keep lamenting about the ruling regime. The People’s Progressive party in its five year strategic plan has resolved to participate in all future by elections. They realized the need to organize themselves and field candidates in the 2016 general elections.
The party also resolved to form party structures trough out the country that will be in position to produce candidates for various posts. PPP also aims at nurturing a culture of tolerance in the politics of Uganda as a deliberate move by the party.
