As 2011 draws to a close, it is appropriate to issue a press release restating the mission of the United Democratic Ugandans (UDU) and reporting activities that were undertaken from July to December 2011.
By popular demand at home and abroad an umbrella organization named United Democratic Ugandans (UDU) was established on July 9, 2011 at a conference hosted by Ugandans to the Rescue in Los Angeles, California, USA.
The mission of the umbrella organization is to harmonize activities of political parties, organizations and individuals at home and abroad opposed to the NRM system and speak with one voice for efficiency and effectiveness.
Conference participants came from the United States, Europe and Canada. Participants came from all regions of Uganda (central, eastern, northern and western).
The conference was convened to establish an umbrella organization; adopt a name for it; elect committee members; and adopt a work plan.
The umbrella organization was established by acclamation. Regarding the name of the organization, many proposals were submitted, followed by voting. United Democratic Ugandans (UDU) got the highest votes and was adopted as the name of the organization.
Delegates nominated eight candidates for the committee to run the affairs of the organization. The eight candidates were then elected by acclamation. They are:
1. Eric Kashambuzi
2. Dorothy Lubowa (gender affairs)
3. Joseph Magandazi
4. John Mayanja
5. Ismael Mulondo
6. Mubiru Musoke
7. Emmanuel Muwonge
8. Fred Ssali (youth affairs).
The committee was directed by the conference to meet separately and elect office bearers in line with the work to be undertaken (draft the constitution, mobilize resources, prepare National Recovery Plan, conduct outreach activities including external and diplomatic affairs and Uganda organizations) and report back to the conference for its necessary action.
The following office bearers were elected by the committee unanimously.
1. Mubiru Musoke (Chairman);
2. Eric Kashambuzi (Secretary-General with inter alia primary responsibility for external and diplomatic affairs);
3. Ismael Mulondo (Resource mobilization);
4. Emmanuel Muwonge (legal affairs with primary responsibility for registering UDU and drawing up UDU constitution and bylaws).
The list of office bearers was subsequently presented to the conference which adopted it by acclamation.
After a lively interactive debate delegates adopted the following work plan for the next three months (July 10 – October 8, 2011);
1. Registration of UDU;
2. Drafting UDU constitution and bylaws;
3. Membership drive at home and abroad;
4. Drafting a National Recovery Plan (NRP) as alternative to NRM policies.
The conference decided that the first UDU conference should be held in Boston (USA) on the eve of Uganda’s independence anniversary on October 8, 2011 to discuss progress on the above work plan and the way forward.
The Boston conference was held at Boston College as scheduled on October 8, 2011.
The overall theme of the conference was “What is Accepted in a Free and Democratic Society”
The first (opening) session was presided over by Dorothy Lubowa. Under this session, Mubiru Musoke, Chairman of UDU delivered a welcome message; Eric Kashambuzi presented the report of the Secretary-General and Haji Sebunya made a statement on behalf of FDC.
The second session on the National Recovery Plan (NRP) was presided over by Prof. Aloysius Lugira. Four themes from the NRP were selected for discussion:
1. “Liberty, Democracy and Good Governance” (introduced by Mubiru Musoke);
2. “Proportional Representation with Emphasis on Gender” (introduced by Dorothy Lubowa);
3. “We are Not Blind” (introduced by Fred Ssali);
4. “East African Cooperation and Impact on Uganda” (introduced by Eric Kashambuzi).
The presentations were followed by a lively interaction by delegates and presenters. They commended the committee for producing an excellent National Recovery Plan with detailed recommendations under each chapter. The plan was endorsed with a recommendation that the deadline for submission of comments should be extended to allow ample time for those who have not done so. The committee extended the deadline to December 31, 2011. A final plan will replace the draft which has been posted at UDU blog www.udugandans.org.
The third and final session presided over by Charlie Lakony was devoted to evaluation of the work undertaken by the committee so far, the conduct of the Boston conference, lessons learned and the way forward.
The debate was very lively and constructive. The conference commended the committee for an excellent performance that exceeded expectations. Apart from presenting an excellent National Recovery Plan the committee transmitted it to the delegates timely – a month in advance of the conference – allowing them ample time to read, consult and make pertinent comments.
The creation of a colorful letter head for the organization and UDU blog www.udugandans.org were highly appreciated. The committee was called upon to continue to serve UDU.
During the six month period (July-December 2011), the committee has undertaken other activities that were considered topical in its work. Consultations with parties and organizations at home and abroad and development partners were conducted, press releases issued and articles on relevant issues published mostly at Ugandans at Heart Forum and www.udugandans.org.
In the first press release the committee outlined the background to the formation of UDU and its mission among other things.
The committee contributed to the debate on Mabira forest stressing that it is a national treasure and should be preserved for present and future generations.
The committee contributed to the debate on possible environmental impact of oil drilling and processing drawing lessons from the unhappy Nigerian experience. The committee believes an environmental impact assessment should be undertaken (if it has not been) and updated regularly and the reports published for wide readership.
The committee also issued a press release on violation of human rights and freedoms including destruction of urban shelters in a manner considered inappropriate.
Articles on other items of interest were published. The committee made diplomatic contacts that have contributed to actions calling on the NRM government to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to govern justly. Vital networks and institutional memory have been established that will enhance UDU’s work in 2012.
UDU was invited to the London conference organized by FDC. We prepared a statement for the conference which has been posted at www.udugandans.org
The committee (Board of Directors) is putting together a work plan for 2012. It will be made available as soon as it is ready. Meanwhile, the committee urges Ugandans, friends and well wishers to visit www.udugandans.org regularly for updates on UDU’s activities.
Happy New Year
Eric Kashambuzi
Secretary-General, UDU
For further information, comments or suggestions please contact Eric Kashambuzi at [email protected], or telephone number 1 914 699 6132.