African Electoral Alliance (AEA) , an Independent, Non – Political, Non-Governmental Organization with a cardinal objective of supporting strong democratic institutions and processes, sustainable, effective and legitimate democracy has launched a multi-stakeholder Nationwide civic engagement in collaboration with the private sector, the government , the academic community, the technical community,among others.
The launch, held at Nican Resort Hotel in Seguku Entebbe on Friday is aimed at emphasizing diversity in democracy, equal political participation, representation of women and men in politics and decision making, but vitally empowering women to actively engage in politics, including leadership development, mentorship, and capacity-building initiatives.
Addressing the participant, Sarah Balindya, the AEA women representative said in the face of the upcoming general elections, it is a collective responsibility to ensure that this unity prevails.
‘’ Let us, as proud daughters and sons of Uganda, rise above the divisive forces that seek to weaken us. Let us embrace our diversity, celebrate our unity, and firmly reject violence in all its forms. In doing so, we will not only safeguard the integrity of our electoral process but also pave the way for a future where every citizen can take pride in being part of this remarkable nation. Today, we are privileged to welcome a distinguished speaker from the National Women Council, an organization that stands at the forefront of empowering women, advocating for their rights, and ensuring their active participation in the democratic process’’, noted Balindya.
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Coprium Nkatta , the Projects manager and youth leader at AEA revealed that in the coming months, Civic Engagement Program will unfold in towns and villages across Uganda and AEA will engage in open dialogues, educational workshops, and community events, all designed to promote peace and reduce electoral violence.
‘’Our message is simple yet profound: let us celebrate our differences, let us unite under the banner of Ugandan pride, and let us reject violence in every form. We aspire to create a ripple effect of understanding, acceptance, and respect among our citizens. Our focus is on the heart of our society – our communities. By instilling a deep sense of national pride, we believe we can foster an environment where peace thrives and electoral violence becomes a relic of the past’’, said Nkatta.
Coprium added that as the country approaches the crucial 2026 general elections, the African Electoral Alliance is driving a comprehensive Civic Engagement Program which is more than a campaign but a promise to the nation.
Richard Kamugisha, the director in charge of operations at the Electoral Commission who was the chief guest said it is vital for civil society organizations to sensitize the community pre and post election time to minimize such situations from occurring violence, misinformation and non- accepting the outcome .
Senior Commissioner of Police (SCP) and the Uganda Police Force Chief Political Commissar (CPC) Hadija Namutebi hailed AEA for initiating a civic education program adding that the multistakeholders participation is a testament to the shared commitment to building a peaceful and harmonious Uganda.
Other stakeholders who attended the event included among officials from academia, National Youth Council, Media practitioners, National Women Council and Security.
African Electoral Alliance (AEA) is an Independent, Non – Political, Non-Governmental Organization with a cardinal objective of supporting strong democratic institutions and processes and more sustainable, effective and legitimate democracy. The origination is mandated to produce comparative knowledge in the field (s) of several key areas of expertise: electoral processes, leadership capacity building, constitution building, democracy and development, as well as on several cross-cutting issues such as gender, diversity, peace and conflict resolution, just to mention a few. AEA was established for the services of humanity without cast, color and creed and is governed by a Supreme Council and run by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers.
