{UAH} STATEMENT FROM ELDERS FORUM (Ug) & IRCU

Elders Forum/ Inter-Religious Council "to work towards a National Consultative Conference."
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JOINT PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE INTER RELIGIOUS COUNCIL OF UGANDA AND THE ELDERS FORUM OF UGANDA.

We note with appreciation the active participation of the citizens of Uganda in the recent electoral process. We also wish to appreciate the various political actors for exercising tolerance and for their commitment to solving emerging issues through dialogue and the legal process.
Since February 18th 2016, we have been listening in and have noted the unease amongst some sections of the population. Some of the concerns include: the role of security forces in the electoral process; the challenges faced by the Electoral Commission and the voters.
There is fear and uncertainty within some sections of the population to express their grievances related to the above issues.
It is obvious that these elections have left some sections of the population dissatisfied. This environment is not conducive to consolidating peace and justice.
As shepherds and senior citizens in the country, we are deeply troubled by these trends because they weaken our social fabric of harmony, social cohesion and responsive leadership.
The pillars that guarantee sustainable peace and justice in a nation are built on fairness, openness, mutual respect, recognition of each other's contribution and commitment towards serving the common good. It should be appreciated that nation building is a collective effort.
Consequently, we should guard against surrendering national solidarity for partisan interests, remembering that Uganda is bigger than all of us. We have the responsibility to bequeath a thriving country to the future generations. The current events provide us an opportunity as citizens of Uganda to reflect deeply on our missed opportunities and to lay a firm foundation for a meaningful democracy for our beloved nation.
Given our role, we have a shared responsibility to provide guidance and leadership to address the current political impasse, and work with fellow citizens to lay a solid foundation for the country.
We commit:
1. To offer ourselves as facilitators of constructive dialogue around the existing issues.
2. To engage relevant authorities to ensure that all Ugandans enjoy their freedoms of expression and movement.
3. To work towards a national consultative conference to address the obstacles that are hindering us as a nation from enjoying the full fruits of our independence.
4. To identify the steps towards achieving the Uganda we want.
Signed this 17th day of March, 2016
Venue: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, Kigo.
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Archbishop John Baptist Odama Canon Justice James Ogoola
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL OF UGANDA AND THE ELDERS FORUM OF UGANDA

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