Editorial: Violence in our national politics must be condemned

Asked on several occasions why this is so, Government spokespersons and NRM sympathisers have constantly said that the move is aimed at weeding out terrorist tendencies among the different factions trying to use demonstrations as a way of expressing their dissatisfaction about certain issues in the country.

Uganda’s opposition political parties have, on several occasions, been at the forefront of this condemnation.

As the alternative Uganda has, one would expect them (the opposition) to behave better than the ‘evil’ they seek to remove from power, but this hasn’t been the case lately.

Amidst internal struggles within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), the party went so low when violence was exhibited in the heat of the moment.

The party’s national chairperson, Wasswa Birigwa, was stopped from accessing the party premises in Najjanakumbi, which he had hoped to use to hold a press conference to shed light on what was going on in the party.

Violence erupted at the party, and, as a result, journalists were beaten and their phones stolen by goons who were allegedly hired by some party officials as security.

It didn’t stop at this. At the start of the party’s national council meeting this week. The same happened. Chaos ensued at the party following the arrival of some party members believed to not be in agreement with some of the party leaders.

It is sad that the FDC, once Uganda’s most vibrant opposition political party, finds itself in this kind of situation. However, violence should not be used as a way of trying to solve issues.

Following years of civil strife, the current generation of politicians should always seek peaceful ways of resolving an issue.

Violence in our national politics must be strongly condemned!