The Democratic Party (DP) has urged dialogue and reconciliation to address national challenges outlined in a recent pastoral letter from Uganda’s Catholic bishops.

Speaking at a press conference on April 15, 2025, at the party’s headquarters on Balintuma Road, DP spokesperson Okoler Opio Lo Amamu welcomed the letter, describing it as timely, bold, and reflective of the reality many Ugandans face today.

Opio emphasized that all leaders, regardless of their political affiliation, have an obligation to provide direction and hope to their followers. He warned that failure to engage in open, honest dialogue could lead the country into deeper instability.

“Leaders have a duty to guide their followers, regardless of political affiliation. If leaders from different political parties cannot sit down and reason together, we are headed for instability, and that would be very unfortunate,’’ Opio stated.

Opio criticized the lack of genuine cooperation among political leaders, emphasizing that alliances formed out of convenience or pressure rather than shared national purpose risk further division.

“When you see leaders like the NUP president Kyagulanyi Sentamu and Hon. Matthias Mpuuga sitting together merely because of circumstance, not principle, you know the country is in trouble,” Opio said.

He stressed that building consensus among political actors is vital for the country’s stability, especially as Uganda continues to face economic hardships and growing public frustration.

Regarding the issue of economic inequality, the DP spokesperson stated that the wealth gap between the rich and the poor is widely increasing, and some government officials have so much money that they cannot even trace its source.

He further expressed his concern on the issue of corruption, urging all Ugandans to confront the vice before it drives the country toward a national crisis.

Additionally, he urged leaders to embrace the bishops’ message, stressing its credibility and its role in unifying the nation through shared religious values.

Opio also used the occasion to call on all DP members to actively participate in the party’s ongoing grassroots leadership elections.

These elections, which are taking place across various regions, are part of the party’s efforts to strengthen internal democracy and prepare for future political engagement.

“We want a party that reflects the will of the people from the grassroots to the top. These elections are crucial in empowering members to take ownership of the party and its direction,” Opio said.

The pastoral letter by the Catholic bishops addressed a range of national concerns, including sectarianism, the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS, maternal and infant mortality, youth unemployment, and rising alcoholism, among other issues.

While other political parties have yet to issue formal responses to the bishops’ letter, civil society groups and religious leaders have praised it as a courageous and necessary intervention.

As Uganda continues to grapple with socio-political and economic challenges, the call for unity, honesty, and dialogue may be the bridge the country needs to move forward.