ROBERT ATUHAIRWE: Gen. Saleh’s dialogue efforts demand universal support and goodwill

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda published an opinion piece by Robert Atuhairwe urging broad support for reported dialogue efforts linked to Gen. Salim Saleh and backed by President Yoweri Museveni. The article says the outreach is aimed at easing political tensions and encouraging reconciliation in Uganda, with attention focused on jailed opposition figure Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who the author says is also in detention.

Atuhairwe argues that repeated election cycles have strained the country’s social fabric and that dialogue should be treated as a practical tool for reducing conflict rather than as a sign of weakness. He presents the talks as an urgent response to divisions in politics, saying they should be expanded to include other political groups and grievances over time. The piece also frames the initiative as symbolically important because it is being led by a military general, which the author says underscores the possibility of peace-building.

The commentary also calls for stronger, more sustained use of formal forums such as the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue and the National Consultative Forum. It warns against inflammatory public rhetoric and says Uganda’s political disagreements should be handled through engagement, compromise and respect for common ground. The article’s broader message is that dialogue, if successful, should become a regular part of political life rather than a temporary response to pressure.