KAMPALA – The Democratic Party (DP) Bloc, a coalition of three Opposition parties, has urged the public to focus on peaceful transfer of political power as they celebrate the 57th Independence anniversary.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 08, 2019, The DP Bloc, which comprises the Democratic Party (DP) Social Democratic Party (SDP) and People’s Development Party (PDP), says the current regime has lost focus and should be removed.
“As we celebrate the 57th Anniversary of independence from British colonialism we call upon all Ugandans to focus on the most urgent question of today. That question is not about roads, bridges, electricity or even oil. The most urgent question facing Uganda today is whether we as a country can have change without bloodshed! Unless we are sticking our heads in the sand like an ostriches, we cannot avoid the question of political transition,” the statement reads in part.
The coalition said while transition should be a national topic, President Museveni has constantly ignored to abide by it, alluding to the head of state’s failure to honour promises he made at the IPOD Summit of 25th October, 2018.
“Unfortunately, whenever this subject comes up, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni changes the topic. During the IPOD Summit of 25th October, 2018 President Museveni said “Politics, in my view, should be about peace, education, health, infrastructure and wealth in homes. However people do not care about these things. Leaders seem to forget what they should do.” For a man who has had over three decades to do his job blaming others is unbecoming. Instead of the promise and rhetoric of fundamental change, our current reality is an inept and personalized state characterized by totalitarianism, militarism, corruption and cronyism,” the bloc says.
“Those who care about the future of Uganda cannot help talk about Transition. Talking about Transition does not mean we have any ill will towards Uganda’s longest serving President. We are simply saying his time is up and he is not getting any younger. He has to practice what he preaches. As we debate the future of Uganda all that is required is that leaders close ranks through a meaningful national dialogue on political transition. Without that the future will be rife with risk and the very country we call Uganda will fall apart. So far Museveni is on the path to a monumental failure in the most important subject in the political syllabus – Transition!” they add.
