NATIONAL DIALOGUE FOR RECONCILIATION AND DEVELOPMENT (NDRD)
CONCEPT PAPER
Back Ground:
Uganda has been at cross roads ever since colonialists came to this country. Important to note though is that after independence, what was thought to be a nationalists’ victory over oppression and divisionism only quickly degenerated into its old self.
With different political groups positioning themselves for contests, divide and rule was viewed as the cheapest means to political power. Effectively doors swung wide open for all the other political evils. The political quagmire of Uganda had only just started. The north, that the colonial administration had treated as a labour reserve force quickly became anyanyas or badokoli, the central people were regarded as untrustworthy (a good Muganda is a dead one), and at every stage in our history, one ethnicity has at least harboured an intention to fight another. The local leaders simply took over from where the colonialists left – a divided country.
All generations have since tried to solve this problem but with only lip stick solutions for what is a major social, economic and political beauty crisis. The NRM government particularly tried to address this problem in 2003 with Dr. Crispus Kiyonga as the chief of the dialogue; unfortunately it never went any far.
The failure of such previous dialogue processes and the continued attempt to have one each time a certain condition forces it is the justification of the fact that a harmonious Uganda is almost dependant on a dialogue of one kind or another. And yet, it is true that any development of substance is not going to be a result of something of ‘a certain kind’ but a well thought out idea. That is what is called here National Dialogue for Reconciliation and Development [NDRD], a concerted process of charting out the underlying factors that have retarded development in Uganda.
For how long shall we wait for somebody to act upon this hullabaloo of tribal, regional, political, economic and cultural powder cage? The thought here is that a group [of people] has to rise and make a bold move now. This move is to be a protracted national dialogue starting at local community level, grow into a regional dialogue, before a framework for national dialogue for reconciliation is found. This should set the stage for the badly needed reconciliation.
It is for this reason that this idea is put to you [that] as a major Civil Society Organisation (CSO) you are uniquely positioned to pull this country out of the abyss of social political differences once and for all. It is my conviction that given the period you worked in this country and the orientation of your work, I am sure if you can have the courage too, the implementation of this tusk should be a success.
You would mobilize ordinary people at the local level; among these may be retired civil servants, religious leaders, local Community Based Organizations’ [CBOs] representatives, teachers among others, all preferably being apolitical opinion leaders at their respective categories. These would start the process of dialogue at the district level.
Problem Statement:
In Uganda there lies social, ethnic, economic and political problems that require diligent handling with due honesty for the country to move forward in harmony. All Ugandans have to be involved.
Procedure:
The District Dialogue Committee:
The strategy is to identify apolitical opinion leaders of a specific number in all district in the country to start the dialogue at that level [30 per district].
At this stage of dialogue, the opinion leaders would identify what their social, economic and political interests are and the challenges about them; their potentials and weaknesses, opportunities and impediments and any other concerns as a district, including the points for reconciliation and how it could be done as a district. It is important to note that there are numerous problems between communities and districts especially about land that could be ironed out at this level.
They go ahead to assess how these challenges, strengths and opportunities flow into the same of the region. This would be in preparation for the regional dialogue.
The Regional Dialogue Committee
There would be two phases of dialogue at this level. The first phase would be where the regions discuss within self their concerns in the respective regions following the same subject matters and procedure as at the district.
The regional dialogue would involve members from several districts that form a region. A specific number of members from each district would compose the regional dialogue forum [4 representatives per districts].
It is important to note that there are well established regions in the country but with other parts especially in the east being a little complicated. But certain common factors and other historical importance should ease this ‘dilemma’.
At the regional dialogue, the challenges that affect the region, its interests, and how they relate to the rest of the country would be the matter for discussion.
They chart out how they can be important to each other as districts in the region and also how the factors discussed blend into national interests. They also find out the possible points for reconciliation as a region.
The second phase
This phase would be a region to region dialogue. Each region would interface with the other to chart out their differences and strategic interests vis-à-vis national cohesion and development. For example Buganda interfaces with Acholi/Lango region, Bunyoro, Bukedi and the rest, while all the others also do the same until every region interfaces with the other. They discuss how they would be or are important to each other, and how they can relate henceforth.
This would prepare all regions for the National Conference [NC]. To the NC would be two representatives per district.
The National Dialogue:
This would be the last and most crucial part of the ‘Project Reconcile Uganda (PRU)’. In consultations with the regional dialogue committees, the make up, procedure and targeted results for the national dialogue would be reached.
The Road Map:
It is planned that the formation of district committees should start at the beginning of August 2011.
• June 2011……….District dialogue committee formation complete, dialogue starts
• August 2011 ..........District dialogue complete, discussions and debates go on about it for the next two months
• Nov. 2011……….Formation of regional committees, and commencement of dialogue at that level
• Jan. 2012………..Regional dialogue complete, discussions and debates about the result of this stage of dialogue go on for two months
• April-May 2012….Region to region dialogue, results discussed and debated for two months
• August 2012, ……Preparations for the National Conference
• Sep – Oct. 2012…The National Conference for National Dialogue and Reconciliation, completion designed to coincide with independence – nation re-born
Way Forward:
The last day of the conference marks a special day for National Reconciliation. It is here proposed therefore that this day be remembered for as long as it remains relevant for national cohesion.
On this day, one person who has wronged the other reaches out specially to say sorry. An institution that has offended another agrees to make amends. Communities that have made ill of the other reach out with Olive Branches speaking peace.
Conclusion:
It may be painful and yet protracted tiresome, but that is the price to be paid for peace and harmonious development in Uganda. Unwavering courage and resolve will be a necessity for the plan to stand. Utter honesty and openness will too be required for the cause not to be misconceived for the old political posturing that Ugandans are well known about.
I have since redesigned this idea for another institution for exploration. If you have any idea on how it could be improved or any comment at all, it would of great pleasure.
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