The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Dr. Kiiza Besigye, the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) founding president has called on supporters to rise up and rejuvenate their party, which he believes is currently led by individuals who are politically exhausted and disheartened.
Speaking during a regional mobilization meeting of FDC structural leaders in Masaka City on Tuesday, Dr. Besigye attributed the internal conflicts within the party to fatigue among some leaders, stemming from their previous unsuccessful attempts to seize state power. As a result, he claims that certain leaders within the party are considering forming alliances with the current government for personal gain.
These individuals are reportedly determined to suppress any dissenting voices within the party. Dr. Besigye stressed the importance of members taking action to rescue their party from what he described as misguided leadership. He emphasized the need for the FDC to remain committed to the principle of facilitating a meaningful political transition, which he believes is a goal shared by many Ugandans.
Besigye, who was accompanied at the meeting by FDC Vice President for Buganda and Kampala Mayor Elias Lukwago, as well as Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda, revealed that they have taken it upon themselves to mobilize party leaders for an emergency Delegates Conference where they intend to exercise their authority to remove the current top leaders.
He also accused the current party leadership of deviating from the original ideology of ‘One Uganda, One People’ and instead promoting unwarranted tribal divisions, which he believes is undermining unity within the party. “Apparently, they are intentioned to create a rift between us, by creating and propagating the false impression that some of us are against leaders from the Eastern and Northern parts of the country. This is a delusion that all delegates need to understand and stand out to denounce, and preferably institute a transitional party leadership” he noted.
Besigye’s statements came shortly after a faction of FDC party leaders, led by Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi, issued a statement cautioning him against his mobilization efforts, citing violations of the party’s constitution. According to a statement released at a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Najjanankumbi, none of the party’s top leadership bodies had approved the proposed Emergency Delegate’s Conference.
They argued that it could not make decisions on behalf of the party. The statement gave Dr. Besigye and his group a 48-hour ultimatum to halt their mobilization tours, which they deemed misleading, as the legitimate delegates’ conference was scheduled for the following month. However, Elias Lukwago, the FDC Vice President for the Buganda Region, insisted that they would proceed with their plans, asserting that their activities were supported by both the party’s and the national constitutions.”
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