DIGNITY, SOLIDARITY, SHARED PROSPERITY | 2022 Civil Society New Year’s Message
Today, a press conference was held at the Uganda National NGO Forum offices in Kabalagala to convey the 2022 Civil Society New Year message.
Under the leadership of UNNGOF, representatives and leaders from the sector lauded Ugandans for their resolve to overcome the social, economic and political challenges presented in 2021 and reaffirmed their commitment to building a better Uganda.
The statement was delivered in English and Luganda by Ms. Margaret Sekaggya and Mr. Henry Muguzi respectively. CSOs identified selected positive developments and commended citizens and the government. The positives included; the government response to COVID-19 and acquisition of 22 million doses of vaccines, and Professor Patrick Ogwang’s innovation in developing COVIDEX as a supportive drug treatment for COVID-19 and other virus infections. CSOs urges all eligible Ugandans to get vaccinated.
CSOs also praised the brilliant performance of Ugandans in the world sports arena, specifically Joshua Cheptegei, Peruth Chemtai, Jacob Kiplimo, the Crested Cranes, the under-20 national football team and the under-19 national cricket team.
They expressed solidarity with Ugandan Doctors and Health Workers who continue to demonstrate unparalleled resilience in the face of hostile working conditions and poor remuneration.
They also acknowledged that Uganda still faces challenges to its transformation namely; arrests and detention of activists and journalists, oppostional political actors and civil society actors; suspension of NGOs, misuese of COVID relief funds and the poor state of public services, growing public debt and the appalling working conditions of health workers. They called upon the government to prioritize the safe re-opeing of schools and address the inequality between learners in rural and urban areas that have been aggravated during the COVID-19 period.
Other CSO leaders present included Dr. Moses Isooba – UNNGOF E.D, Ms. Eunice Musiime of Akina Mama wa Afrika, Mr Job Kiijja of IDEA, Ms. Sarah Bireete of CCG, Ms. Garce Mukwaya of Platform for Labour Action, Mr. Robert Kirenga of the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda.
CSOs remain committed to partnering with citizens the state and the private sector to build civic agency, facilitating processes that promote the dignity of all Ugandans, and the rule of law and challenge corruption, impunity, and apathy.
