Africa-Press – Uganda. The Democracy Union of Africa (DUA) Forum 2025 kicked off today in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together over 25 center-right political parties from across the continent to discuss Africa’s role in a changing global landscape.
The four-day event, themed “Navigating Africa’s Strategic Position in a Multipolar World,” was officially opened by DUA Chairperson Ms. Louisa Atta-Agyemang.
The forum, which has attracted more than 300 participants, is supported by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and co-hosted by Kenya’s African National Union (KANU) Party, led by Senator Gideon Moi, and the Democratic Party of Kenya, led by Rt. Hon. Justin B. Muturi.
The opening session featured a high-profile keynote address by Lord Michael Ashcroft, Honorary Chairman of the International Democracy Union (IDU) and former Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party of the UK. Lord Ashcroft’s address centered on the strategic and operational challenges currently facing Africa’s center-right political movements.
The forum aims to promote core principles shared by its members, including democracy, individual liberty, market-driven economies, and accountable governance.
A joint declaration outlining key strategies for building stronger ties between Africa and Europe is expected to be adopted at the event’s conclusion.
Amid discussions on international cooperation and policy, the issue of democratic space within member states was sharply highlighted.
Patrick Oboi Amuriat, president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, addressed a panel discussion to condemn the political climate in his home country. The FDC is noted as one of the DUA’s members in good standing.
Amuriat, represented alongside Mr. Mulindwa Walid Lubega, the Party’s Deputy Secretary for Publicity, spoke pointedly about the challenges faced by opposition parties.
“The shrinking political space in Uganda is a grave concern to all those who believe in true democracy,” said Hon. Amuriat.
“We are witnessing the weaponisation of the criminal justice system to harass political opponents and an uneven playing field in the ongoing presidential campaigns. This systematic repression must be condemned by the international community.”
He further drew attention to individuals detained for political reasons, adding, “The plight of political prisoners, including the likes of Col. Kizza Besigye, is a painful reminder of the price of standing up for democracy.”
The forum will continue with a schedule of panel discussions, policy dialogues, and roundtables focusing on critical topics such as democracy, trade, innovation, and security cooperation between Africa and Europe.
Today, the FDC Party’s flag bearer, Rt. Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi, is set to participate in a panel discussion focusing on experience sharing from elections, which will provide further insight into the complexities of electoral processes on the continent.
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