Veteran politician, Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, has urged the opposition to reconcile and push for the joint candidate ahead of 2021 general elections.
He made the remarks as he celebrated the Royal Award of the “Spear and Shield” that was bestowed upon him by the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.
This meritorious award was offered in recognition of his exemplary political leadership nationally and in Buganda; and service with humility.
He also launched "Unity in Diversity" aimed at uniting the opposition ahead of the general polls.
This scientific function was attended by religious leaders, major political actors in the country to wit; ANT's Paul Mwiru, FDC's,Patrick Amuriat, DP's Norbert Mao, NUP's Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Cecilia Ogwal and several other dignitaries.
Ssemogerere dedicated this award towards unity within the forces of change proposing that this should be the underpinning emblem in a move to realize unity and fronting credible leaders.
He cautioned opposition political parties that they stand to lose out in the upcoming elections unless they unite for a common cause for change.
The recent process to pick flag-bearers for the different political parties has exposed deep fractures in the political parties.
"Is it not shameful that we live in the same brotherhood but everyday we get a new a candidate for the Lord Mayor?" he queried, leaving everyone amused.
Other opposition political players clashed over unity and single candidature proposals as some felt the idea is marred by selfishness, malice, and internal fights.
The DP party president general, Norbert Mao expressed concern that opposition politicians have failed to measure up to the like of Ssemogerere.
"We only have people who pretend to be selfless but when it comes to the issues of unity, you don't see them. Some of us we have not only talked of unity in diversity but we have worked for unity,"he said.
Former presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye, said the idea of coming together as the opposition has been frustrated by internal bickering within the parties.
"We are competing among ourselves. Now NUP is competing with FDC, with DP with PP, how will they unite?" he asked
He warned that the opposition won't be in position to take the leadership of this country without unity adding that struggling institutions must reflect how they organise.
Different speakers appreciated the Kabaka’s gesture of awarding a leader who they referred to as a field marshal in the political arena.
