Minister of Water and Environment Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire has called for political tolerance and peaceful resolution of disagreements, saying the strength of a civilized society lies in its ability to manage differences without resorting to violence.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Otafiire said political differences were inevitable but argued that the focus should be on how such disagreements are resolved.
“Whatever the shade of our political persuasion, we have one country, and we must serve that country,” Otafiire told legislators.
He said disagreements should not automatically be viewed as a threat, noting that differences are a natural part of human relationships and political life.
“The hallmark of civilization is how people resolve contradiction without violence,” he said, adding that even military leaders should not regard violence as the preferred solution to problems.
Otafiire, a retired military officer, said effective leadership involves anticipating potential conflicts and addressing their causes before they escalate.
He also urged members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to exercise magnanimity in victory, while calling on those who lose to respect the outcome and retain their right to be heard.
Using the imagery of a mirror, the Minister of Water and Environment, told NRM legislators that political opposition can provide an opportunity for the ruling side to examine itself and identify areas requiring improvement.
His remarks came amid his broader appeal for unity and tolerance among political actors, with the minister stressing that Uganda’s national interests should transcend political differences.
Verbatim remarks
Mr Speaker, sir, I want to take two or three minutes to talk to the honorable members of the house and say whatever the shed of our political persuasion, we have one country, and we must serve that country.
I always say, Mr Speaker, honourable speaker, sir, that when you see two people living together and they don’t disagree for a month, it means one of them is a fool. Meaning disagreement is not the problem, but how to resolve the contradiction is the problem.
The hallmark of civilization is how people resolve contradiction without violence. When you see a general who prefers violence as the best means of solving problems, then there is a problem.
The greatest generals I know are those who resolve problems without shooting a bullet. Because in managing society we depend on information; the government calls it intelligence.
When you see what your adversary intends to do, you quickly prevent that initiative, or you change your ways of operation to prevent… to remove the casus belli, so that you do not go into confrontation.
We are in one dispensation, and we must learn to tolerate each other.
NRM you are winners… The hallmark of civilization is that those who win are magnanimous in victory, and those who don’t win also respect the winners, but they have a right to be heard.
You know, you never see how beautiful your face is or how ugly your face is until you look into the mirror, and, colleagues on the NRM side, this opposition is our mirror of reflection. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
