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Recent conversation on the different FDC whatsApp groups show that Muntu supporters are becoming frustrated that Muntu is not reacting to attacks from the defiance camp which pays allegiance to Besigye.
They say they have kept quiet for too long in the name of keeping the party together but might soon suffer the effects of the hate campaign against them from the defiance team.
Apparently, the defiance team led by Besigye stalwart Nandala (MP (MP Budadiri West) is meeting delegates to the FDC National Conference which elects the party president and is likely to decide Muntu’s fate. Nandala is reportedly telling them that Muntu has destroyed their party and that he is Museveni’s “mercenary” sent to wipe FDC off the political scene.
In one of the whatsapp conversations, Muntu’s supporters are calling upon each other to get up and fight for his interests.
The call starts with one Muntu supporter Rajab Kaaya reminding his colleagues that the whatsapp group 525 was started to achieve Muntu’s re-election which he says they should start working on.
“The presidential campaigns have already unofficially started. They started more than two months ago. Teams are already moving around the country in a hate campaign against Muntu. We must convene and devise ways of countering their lies and falsehoods.”
His supporters say that while Muntu is spending all his time and energy on promoting party cohesion and unity, his detractors are going around the country.
“The principal (Muntu) should wake up,” says another supporter, Ahmed Mwanga. “There is a deliberate campaign to discredit him. Nandala spends most of his time meeting delegates.”
The members of this camp think it is fruitless to try and dialogue with members of the defiance camp because they are not willing to work with Muntu’s team for the good of the party.
“We should stop fire-fighting and perhaps be the ones to start the fire,” says Sseryazi. “PP has spent all his time trying to promote harmony and cohesion in the party but with the kind of people we are dealing with, that will not work because there is no good will from their side.”
Muntu’s camp has until now portrayed itself as a tolerant and level-headed group but they are clearly running out of patience. Some of them are vowing to push the Besigye group out of the party once Muntu is re-elected in November.
“I am also tired of this reconciliation talk,” said a member of the organisation camp, “I would rather we engage so that everyone finds their level.”
Another Muntu supporter added, “One side has kept quiet for so long in the name of party unity and cohesion but it seems the defiants are hell bent on destroying this party. What is happening from our side is not an action but a reaction. Maybe it is good that these conflicts go into the public realm so that the public analyses this party and its leaders.”
The defiance camp seems to be aware of the plans of the former moderates. That can be seen in a post by party strong-woman Ingrid Turinawe on FDC @ Heart.
“Their biggest mission (Muntu and his supporters) is to kill defiance and edge activists out of the party. We need to tighten our belts.”
But Research World International Director Patrick Wakida says what is happening in FDC is normal. He says what is happening in the party is just divergence of views, which is expected in any political organization.
“I think the media is blowing the FDC issues out of proportion,” he says, “I don’t see anything wrong with what is going on in FDC. What is happening there is a mere divergence of views which isn’t happening only in FDC.”
Wakida says the only problem is that the opposition political parties have to fight for political space since the NRM has occupied most of it.
The whatsapp exchanges according to Wakida are from a small fraction who don’t represent the views of the entire party.
“The media should understand the nature of social media,” he said, “one individual cannot represent the views of the majority.”
Wakida says these could be tough times for the party as it approaches elections to choose another President but do not threaten the existence of the party.
“A competition is a competition and cannot leave things the same but it is not the first time they will be experiencing such,” he says, “After 2012, everyone thought that was the end of the party but hasn’t it overcome that turmoil?”
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editor@independent.co.ug
