LOP Ochan, DP’s Ssemwogere Hold Talks on National Dialogue

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Betty Aol Ochan has Monday held a meeting with the former Democratic Party (DP) President, Paul Kawanga Ssemwogerere over the impending national dialogue.

The meeting was part of the LOP’s campaign of visiting all national opposition leaders to discuss an array of issues with the aim of building cohesion and unity within the opposition institutions in the country.

Ochan told the media after the meeting that there is need for government and all players of the national dialogue to be sincere and genuine if the dialogue is to yield the expected results.

She said that the dialogue should be about the interests of all Ugandans and that all the key figures should have respect for one another.

“The dialogue championed by IPOD and that headed by the Interreligious Council and the Elders Forum should not look at pushing interests of an individual but for the benefit of all Ugandans,” Ochan said.

The LoP who doubles as Woman MP for Gulu said that the dialogue ‘should be about interest of Ugandans and what Ugandans believe in”.

“We have as well discussed about unity in diversity as Ugandans,” she said of her meeting with Ssemwogerere.

Ochan noted that Uganda is a country with diverse ideas where all parties should learn to respect each other if the country is to solve the prevailing governance problems.

The new political groups that are emerging are as a result of frustration people have in the existing leadership and it’s failure to serve to their expectations, she said.

During a recent meeting between President Yoweri Museveni and members of the Inter-Religious Council and the Elders Forum, it was agreed that the launch of the national dialogue be postponed from 21st November to 18th December 2018.

The decision to push the landmark political event was reached on the basis of allowing for effective consultations among the stakeholders on matters that the dialogue will touch. Museveni noted that the national dialogue was important for stability and prosperity.