Uganda’s Universities Students’ leaders on Thursday vowed to end violence in societies through their campaign dubbed as “Violence Hapana”literally meaning no to Violence.
They were selected from Uganda’s various political parties, namely; Democratic Party (DP), National Resistance Movement (NRM), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and National Unity Platform (NUP) among others.
Addressing a press conference at Cavendish University where the drive to end violence began, the organization’s speaker, Wilson Musinguzi (NRM) and Cavendish University Guild President, said Violence Hapana denounces in strong terms, the recent political violent acts, which took many lives, when police clashed with demonstrators in Kampala and its environs.
“We condemn such acts and our organization is committed to bringing on board all stakeholders to peacefully find ways of resolving such unfortunate acts of violence”, he said.
He said Violence Hapana is also going to engage district, religious and political party leadership across Uganda to find a lasting solution to acts of violence.
Joel Gilbert Karungi, Avance International University (DP) Guild President and chairman of the campaign said Uganda should not be dragged to the past dark days, when violence was the order of the day.
“Acts of violence perpetrated by tribalism should not be tolerated in our midst. You should love your neighbor as you love yourself, as the Bible says”, he said.
Frank Sengowa (NUP) and Guild President at Muteesa Royal University said the recent clashes between police and demonstrators is not the work of National Unity Platform but criminal gangs, who want to perpetrate anarchy in the country.
“NUP has nothing to do with burning of car tires on roads and robbing of passengers during the recent riots”, he said.
