The Katonga faction of the Forum for Democratic Change-FDC party is considering a proposal to form a new political party.
If adopted, the faction led by, Dr. Kiiza Besigye will officially part ways with the faction headed by Patrick Amuriat (Najanankumbi faction)
The new party will be the second to emerge out of the disagreements in the once-largest opposition party.
In 2019, Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Retired Gen, Gregory Mugisha Muntu formed the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) after parting ways with FDC.
The proposal is part of a report by Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago summarizing developments within the party. Lukwago was chosen last year as the interim Party President.
Lukwago was presenting the report at the National Council meeting held at Col Kizza Besigye’s office on Katonga Road.
He told the meeting that during their routine National Executive Committee meetings, some members suggested they should consider getting a new brand and move on with the vision of building a new Uganda with new institutions.
“A section of members have mooted a rather novel proposal that since the vision, heart, and soul of members of the party resides here at Katonga, the bonafide members who are still committed to the struggle to push back against the junta should consider getting a new brand and move on with the vision of building a new Uganda with new institutions. This would essentially entail having a new political formation,” he said.
Lukwago also mentioned that there have also been calls for reconciliation from the Najanankumbi-based faction of the party.
“As NEC, we have been categorical in our response that for this proposal to be considered, the imposters must denounce their nefarious conduct and scandals, which include the coup they are perpetrating, the chaos and mayhem they have caused at Najanankumbi, and apologize for the public odium they have invited to the party.” He said.
He added that they must stop holding out as leaders of the party and vacate Najanankumbi. If they are to be retained as members of the party, they have to go through a cleansing and exorcising process.
In September last year, the Katonga faction held an Extra-Ordinary Delegates meeting at which they suspended the Party President, Patrick Amuriat.
The meeting also suspended Nathan Nandal Mafabi, the party’s Secretary General, and Geoffrey Ekanya, the FDC treasurer.
Before the current crisis, Erias Lukwago served as FDC deputy President for Buganda. Later, Lukwago came up with suggestions for strengthening the party.
Apart from the suggestion to form a break-away party, the Lukwago report includes the need to continue fighting for FDC and rescuing it from what they described as capture.
They also suggest the need to denounce the FDC party-related activities and to form a pressure group akin to the Reform Agenda.
The Reform Agenda (RA) which was birthed from the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO) led to the formation of the Forum for Democratic Change Party which later chose Retired DR. Col. Kizza Besigye as its leader and Presidential candidate during the 2006 elections.
Speaking to Journalists, Lukwago explained the several options that the members of their faction have suggested.
Those suggestions were considered by the National Council members sitting at Katonga on Wednesday. Key among those was the alleged call for reconciliation by the Najjanakumbi faction.
Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Semujju is one of the members of the council who roundly rejected to reconciliation call.
He explained that their aim is not to rescue Najanankumbi but rather to rescue Uganda, and therefore the name of the platform that whomever person uses does not matter.
Dr. Kizza Besigye said that while they are discussing the next course of action, they should know the main goal which is deliberating for the country to acquire its sovereignty which Ugandans have never experienced since Independence.
He suggested that for any action, there is a need for the national council members to get down to the grassroots to explain to their members what happened following the fights at the Najanakumbi office. He urged the council to fight propaganda that has emerged.
“You have been hearing that we want to sell FDC to NUP, why would we do that? How immune is NUP from becoming FDC? You think what ate FDC cannot eat NUP? It can or ANT or the other parties, so we must guard against the propaganda, especially you people from the district.”
Speaking to the available options as suggested in the Lukwago report, Dr. Besigye said that all options are applicable.
He said on the option of forming a social movement, Besigye said that building a social movement would entail abandoning elections, something he cannot object to.
However, Besigye encouraged all delegates to take the time to go across the country and solicit feedback from people before gathering to make a final decision. He feels that a decision based on public input will be sound in the long run.
The Council resolved to postpone the initial 19th March Delegates Conference and provide delegates at least two months to travel across the country collecting feedback and ideas from other FDC members on which option to choose.
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