Africa-Press – Uganda. Former Aruu County Member of Parliament Odonga Otto has called for sustained national dialogue and political maturity in the wake of Uganda’s recent general elections, urging leaders across the divide to prioritise negotiation over confrontation.
Speaking to Canary Mugume during Next Big Talk hosted by Next Radio on Saturday, Otto criticised what he described as an increasingly rigid political environment, warning that shutting down dialogue channels undermines democratic progress.
“Never close the doors for talking. I think it’s amateurish for anyone to close the doors of dialogue. It’s not political maturity,” he said.
Otto revealed that, based on information he claims to have access to, there may have been miscommunication at the highest levels of government regarding recent security concerns involving opposition figures.
He alleged that authorities had been misinformed about the actions of Butambala County Member of Parliament and National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Buganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi.
“It’s been brought to the President’s attention that Muwanga Kivumbi wasn’t forming a rebel group; he just picked ‘kanyamas’ from town to guard his vote. Someone lied to the President,” he said.
Otto further called for urgent negotiations to secure the release of approximately 500 NUP members reportedly in detention following the elections. Otto emphasised the human cost of prolonged incarceration, noting the social and familial disruptions faced by detainees.
“We need to negotiate and get those about 500 NUP members out so they can tend to their families. Someone might elope with their spouses,” he said, stressing that “negotiation must be a continuous process.”
Otto also weighed in on the international engagements of former National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, who has remained abroad since shortly after the polls. He argued that international lobbying efforts should focus on pressuring the government toward concessions rather than seeking to completely displace the current leadership.
“The lobbying abroad should be to pressure the President to concede on certain things, but not do away with him entirely,” he said.
Otto’s remarks come amid a tense post-election environment marked by growing calls for national dialogue.
Opposition leaders have maintained that the electoral process was flawed, demanding reforms, accountability, and guarantees of political freedoms. These concerns have been amplified by Bobi Wine’s continued absence from the country.
Meanwhile, the government has insisted that the NUP is not under attack, framing its actions as necessary for maintaining stability and development. However, skepticism persists among sections of the public, with critics questioning whether proposed dialogue initiatives will yield meaningful reforms or merely serve symbolic purposes.
Religious leaders and elder statespersons have also stepped forward in recent weeks, urging both sides to prioritise national interests over partisan positions. Despite these interventions, tangible progress toward a unified dialogue framework remains limited.
Parallel to these political developments are ongoing legal proceedings involving Kivumbi and 24 co-accused individuals, who face terrorism-related charges linked to alleged political violence during the January 15, 2026 general elections in Butambala District. The violence reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least ten people.
Kivumbi was arrested on January 22, 2026, and later arraigned before the Butambala Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Proceedings in the case were temporarily halted on March 10, 2026, after the presiding magistrate, Deogratias Ssejjemba, raised concerns that two of the accused individuals could be minors.
The court was informed that the identities of the two suspects were being withheld, but there were indications they might be under the age of 18 and possibly still in secondary school.
State prosecutors acknowledged that no documentation was immediately available to verify their ages.
Under Uganda’s Children Act, individuals who appear to be minors may be presumed to be children until proven otherwise, a provision that significantly affects how criminal proceedings are conducted.
Magistrate Ssejjemba subsequently directed the Uganda Prisons Service to carry out age verification examinations and report back to court before proceedings resume.
As quiet but intensive negotiations are reportedly underway between the NUP and government to facilitate Bobi Wine’s safe return—claims the NUP has denied—the broader political landscape remains uncertain.
