Remarks at the Launch of the 'Mulembe Gwa Digito' Media Voter Campaign by CCEDU

Hon. Dr. Miria R.K. Matembe, CCEDU Chairperson

Ms. Charity Ahimbisibwe, CCEDU Coordinator

Mr. Crispin Kaheru, Executive Secretary, NICE Ug

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am pleased to be here today at the launch of the  Mulembe Gwa Digital Media Voter Campaign by the Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU). Since its inception in 2009, CCEDU has been at the forefront of advocacy for electoral reforms, conducted voter education and monitored both general and by-elections. Today, CCEDU is a coalition of 972 civil society organizations and over 25,000 individual members spread across Uganda’s 134 districts, in addition, to a fan base of 4.5 million young Ugandans.

The work of the United Nations is informed by two critical instruments, the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda including its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Charter calls on us to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small. SDG 16 calls on us to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development by supporting efforts to strengthen just institutions, by promoting the rule of law, by supporting efforts to ensure equal access to justice for all, as well as by working with partners to ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

Ladies and Gentlemen

CCEDU remains a leading player in advocacy for credible electoral reforms, monitoring of electoral processes and promotion of voter mobilization campaigns. The UN Charter and the SDGs will continue to inform our partnership with CCEDU going forward. Over the years, the United Nations has been a strong partner of CCEDU as part of our commitment to invest in strengthening indigenous capacities to sustain peace, good governance and inclusive development. The UN system in Uganda recognizes CCEDU as an important player in processes that seek to address the root causes of conflict in the country. The UN has provided technical and financial support to enable CCEDU deliver on its mandate. On behalf of the UN, I would like to commend you for your contribution towards the growth of electoral democracy in Uganda and the promotion of universal values.

The Global Agenda 2030 for sustainable development is linked to the AU vision 2063. This alignment can also be found between critical treaties such as the AFRICAN CHARTER ON DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND GOVERNANCE which “ emphasises the significance of good governance, popular participation, the rule of law and human rights; Reaffirming our collective will to work relentlessly to deepen and consolidate the rule of law, peace, security and development in our countries;” We have a collective responsibility to support peaceful pursuit of democracy as a foundation for transformational development. It is important to ensure that voters are well informed of their duties as citizens in line with the 1995 Constitution of Uganda which states. XXIX.  Duties of a citizen. The exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms is inseparable from the performance of duties and obligations; and, accordingly, it shall be the duty of every citizen (a)to  be  patriotic  and  loyal  to  Uganda  and  to  promote  its well-being; (c) to contribute to the well-being of the community where that citizen lives; (e) to foster national unity and live in harmony with others;  (f) to promote democracy and the rule of law;

Before I conclude, I would like to invite us to recognize that there are 36 days to the General Election on 14th January. I would like to call on all stakeholders to be champions of tolerance, knowledge, dialogue and peaceful co-existence during the next 100 days. Recent events in different parts of the country including physical confrontations, incitement, hate speech and misinformation in political gatherings, on social media and among gatherings has made the Media Voter Campaign by CCEDU timely. Sustaining peace is a shared responsibility and a common good. We must avoid a repetition of recent events and enhance actions that will help sustain an enabling environment going forward.

With over 70% of Uganda’s 42 million inhabitants below 30 years, the campaign will reach out to the youth through testimonials, jingles and images of youth appealing to fellow youth. A similar focus should be extended to women who are estimated to be 56% of the population. Inclusive citizen participation will be key for success.

Going forward it will be important to ensure that the current voter education campaigns by the EC and CCEDU are complemented with civic education campaign focused on encouraging peace, ensuring compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures and other key messages linked to the African philosophy of Ubuntu – our shared humanity and its equivalent across the various cultural communities in Uganda. This rich cultural value system encourages tolerance, social cohesion, honesty, mutual understanding, and hard work among others. Local values of global relevance.

On behalf of the UN system in Uganda, I reiterate our commitment to work with all actors through our UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021 to 2025  to support peace and the realization of the aspirations of the Constitution of Uganda, the national vision 2040 and the SDGs.

END.