By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
MBARARA
All in One Women’s Association (ALOWA) has launched a groundbreaking initiative, Civic Education Committees for Peaceful Elections in Uganda today 1st July at Hotel Triangle in Mbarara city aimed at promoting peaceful elections and reduce electoral disputes and violence in the upcoming 2025/2026 general elections.
The launch comes as Uganda prepares for the elections, with a roadmap already released by the Uganda Electoral Commission. ALOWA and partner organizations are committed to ensuring a peaceful electoral process, building on past experiences where electoral disputes and political violence have marred elections.
The Civic Education Committees will mobilize all actors to address issues that fuel political disputes and violence, promoting dialogue, consensus, and compromise. The committees will work at various levels, providing alternative means of resolving political conflicts.
Faith Nimusiima, Project Manager at ALOWA, urged the Electoral Commission to enforce the law and provide a level playing field for all actors, while Grace Ninsiima, Project Manager at Indigenous Women Network, called upon women to know their rights and exercise them accordingly.
Macbeth Komujuni Gaju encouraged women and youth to vote purposefully. Komujuni noted that majority of women and youths are always forced by their husbands and fathers to vote for their preferred candidates. She urged all women and youths to learn to exercise their rights and vote for candidates of their choice.
Nahumuza Ritah, Project Administrator at ALOWA, emphasized the need for electoral reforms and unity among political actors. She noted that they plan to organize dialogues which they hope will create harmony among politicians and this will create a peaceful elections.
The initiative is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office through the ifa-zivik Funding Programme and implemented by ALOWA and partner organizationsand aims to ensure a peaceful and democratic electoral process in Uganda, promoting a culture of dialogue and consensus-building among all stakeholders.
