By THE INDEPENDENT UG
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Katonga faction of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party is contemplating a proposal to establish a new political party. This proposal is a key component of a report presented by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, summarizing recent developments within the party. Lukwago, appointed as the interim Party President last year, highlighted the potential divergence of the faction led by Dr. Kiiza Besigye from that headed by Patrick Amuriat, commonly known as the Najanankumbi faction. Should this proposal be accepted, it would mark the second instance of a new party emerging from internal disagreements within the once-largest opposition party.
In 2019, the former FDC president, Retired Gen Gregory Mugisha Muntu, formed the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) after parting ways with the FDC.
Lukwago delivered the report today during the National Council meeting, which took place at Col Kizza Besigye’s office on Katonga Road. During routine National Executive Committee meetings, some members suggested the exploration of a new brand to align with their vision of constructing a rejuvenated Uganda equipped with novel institutions.
“A section of members has proposed a novel idea that, given the alignment of the party’s vision, heart, and soul here at Katonga, dedicated members committed to the struggle against the junta should contemplate adopting a new brand. This entails progressing with the vision of building a renewed Uganda, complete with innovative institutions, essentially forming a new political entity,” Lukwago stated.
He also noted calls for reconciliation from the Najanankumbi-based faction, emphasizing the need for those advocating for the new party to denounce their disruptive actions and scandals. This includes the alleged coup, disturbances at Najanankumbi, and publicly apologizing for the negative image cast upon the party. Lukwago insisted that for these individuals to be considered as party members, they must undergo a cleansing and exorcising process.
In September of the previous year, the Katonga faction convened an Extraordinary Delegates meeting during which they suspended Party President Patrick Amuriat, Secretary General Nathan Nandal Mafabi, and FDC Treasurer Geoffrey Ekanya.
Before the current crisis, Erias Lukwago served as the FDC deputy President for Buganda. Subsequently, Lukwago actively participated in proposing strategies to fortify the party.
In addition to the proposal to form a breakaway party, the Lukwago report underscores the imperative to persist in the fight for FDC and extricate it from what they perceive as capture. They also advocate for the renouncement of FDC party-related activities and the establishment of a pressure group akin to the Reform Agenda.
The Reform Agenda (RA), originating from the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO), culminated in the creation of the Forum for Democratic Change Party. This party later selected Retired DR. Col. Kizza Besigye as its leader and presidential candidate during the 2006 elections. Lukwago elucidated the various options suggested by members of their faction when speaking to journalists.
These suggestions were deliberated upon by the National Council members at the meeting held at Katonga on Wednesday. One notable consideration was the purported call for reconciliation by the Najjanakumbi faction.
Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Semujju, a member of the council, staunchly rejected the reconciliation call. He clarified that their objective is not to salvage Najanankumbi but rather to rescue Uganda, asserting that the name of the platform used is immaterial.
Dr. Kizza Besigye emphasized the primary goal of deliberating for the country to attain sovereignty, an experience Ugandans have yet to realize since Independence. He proposed that, in any course of action, the national council members should engage with the grassroots to explain the aftermath of the conflicts at the Najanankumbi office and combat emerging propaganda.
Addressing the suggested options in the Lukwago report, Dr. Besigye deemed all options viable. Regarding the idea of forming a social movement, he acknowledged that this would involve forsaking elections, a proposition he does not oppose. However, Besigye encouraged delegates to traverse the country, gathering feedback from the public before making a final decision, believing that a decision grounded in public input would be sound in the long run.
The Council decided to postpone the initially scheduled 19th March Delegates Conference, allowing delegates at least two months to travel across the country, collecting feedback and ideas from other FDC members to determine which option to choose.
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