KAMPALA – Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) has on Monday, August 19 celebrated its 10th Anniversary of Annual Membership Platform at Democracy house in Nsambya.
The Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative Dr Livingstone Sewanyana in his remarks said CCEDU has been fully registered and offered a license to operate contrary to media reports that we have been de-registered.
“In the past 10 years, we have received criticism from various aspects. Over the last 3 years, we took consultations with our members to have CCEDU registered. As I stand here I want to inform you that CCEDU is now fully registered,” he revealed.
The chief guest Minister Karamoja Affairs Hon Kizige Moses represented the Rt Hon Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda congratulated CCEDU for making 10 years amidst all the challenges.
“I call upon the cooperation between civil society organizations and government because it yields a lot now like the way CCEDU carries out voter education and other related electoral matters,” said Kizige.
He also commended Dr Sewanyana for his Human Rights work since their University day and urged Ugandans to embrace Dialogue for the sake of peace and development in the country.
CCEDU’s coordinator Crispin Kaheru revealed that CCEDU is a special purpose vehicle for democracy in Uganda and members are hosted on 280 different radio stations countrywide each and every year.
AIGP Asan Kasingye said that LDUs are here to protect not to harass the public and whoever breaks anyone’s National ID shall be held liable individually.
“I want to associate myself with CCEDU for the past 10 years in this road to ensure that Uganda is peaceful and secure. Congratulations CCEDU,” Kasingye said.
Adding that Police will be part and parcel of the next 2021 elections to deliver better and reliable “policing” services.
“The government of Uganda recognises the contribution of civil Societies but they should learn to give credit to government where it’s due,” said ICT minister Frank Tumwebaze while giving his remarks at CCEDU offices.
He added that when you criticising the performance of political parties, don’t stop at NRM but also criticize even other political parties.
One of the founding members of CCEDU Ms Maggie Kigozi in her remarks emphasized the need for dialogue in Uganda and called upon everyone to ensure that the voices of everyone are heard in the governance of our country.
New members have also been added to CCEDU including Women’s International Peace Centre, Mwalimu Initiative and The African League.
The event was attended by many dignatories including People Power Spokesperson Joel SSenyonyi, Democratic Party president Nobert Mao, representatives from the church, civil society and academia.
Launched on August 19th, 2009, the Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) is a broad coalition that brings together over 800 like-minded civil society organizations and over eight thousand individuals to advocate for electoral democracy in Uganda.
The overriding agenda of this coalition is to advocate and promote integrity, transparency and active citizen participation in Uganda’s electoral process.
