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Just how far can the former FDC leader go with his ‘New Formation’?
Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | “They have gone finally!” Brian Atuheire Batenda, a member of the defiance team posted on Facebook immediately a statement came out on Sept. 25 announcing the exit of Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). It was one of many celebratory posts Batenda put out and it appeared to sum up the sentiments of all those who were opposed to Muntu in the party where he is a former president.
Muntu unveiled a new group, New Formation, at an event organised by former FDC secretary general Alice Alaso at Hotel Africana in Kampala. The former Serere Woman MP who appears to be a key Muntu strategist flanked him at the event.
Also present were his other allies in parliament like former Leader of Opposition and Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kiiza, Soroti Woman MP Angeline Osegge, Soroti Municipality MP Herbert Ariko, Kasilo County MP Elijah Okupa, Jinja Municipality East MP Paul Mwiru, Independent MP Gerald Karuhanga of Ntungamo Municipality, and National Youth Female MP Anne Adeke.
Two MPs from the ruling NRM Mbwatekamwa Gaffa of Kasambya County and John Baptist Nambeshe of Manjiya County attended. Muntu described all the MPs present as “guests”.
Former delegates on the FDC National Executive Committee, Women’s and Youth League attended too. Also present at the function were officials who are underground political operators.
“Some of us have been working on this for a very long time,” one of the officials who did not want to be named said.
The unveiling of New Formation capped an internecine fight within FDC that started in November 2012 with the election of Muntu as party president.
At the event, Muntu quipped: “There are no more camps in FDC and Patrick Oboi Amuriat, the party president, has a chance to rebrand the party.”
He continued: “I have asked Hon Oboi to study the political environment. He has an opportunity to rebrand.”
“For us to de-escalate the mounting tensions we must be willing to reach out beyond our parties, communities and faiths,” he said, “In FDC, we fought each other into a state of paralysis.”
One of the sharp disagreements Muntu had with the Dr Kizza Besigye faction of FDC was on being what he calls a single issue party; defiance to the government of President Museveni.
“What happens when Museveni ceases to be a factor? You will find yourself in an identity crisis” he said. Many observers say Muntu is a moderate where Besigye is radical activist.
The former army commander says that New Formation is there to occupy a unique space in politics by working with all actors including progressive voices in NRM.
“Our decision is mutually beneficial to FDC and those leaving,” he said, “We shall still work together.”
Muntu’s departure from FDC has been on the cards since he lost the party presidency to Amuriat in November last year at the party delegates’ conference. Many thought Muntu quitting the party would be the obvious next step. But, in his typical patient and reflective style, Muntu lingered around, kept everyone guessing, especially when he went on countrywide “consultations”. Started in January, the consultations lasted nine months and ended with the separation announcement in September.
Amuriat and his mentor; former FDC president Kizza Besigye and their supporters had always accused Muntu of buying time as he sought a way out of Uganda’s largest opposition party. A party that he helped found in 2004.
And Muntu’s event showed there was no love lost between New Formation and the FDC party. Muntu took swipes at his former party when opportunity availed itself through questions journalists put to him. The reverse was true as members and senior figures of FDC took rounds ridiculing him on the move.
