Kampala August 20—A move by the Katonga Forum for the Democratic Change FDC function to dissolve the FDC party, has thrown the Najjanankumbi FDC mainstream faction in panic as both factions operates around the same constitution.
Much as the Najjanankumbi FDC faction boasts of occupying the official party headquarters and having top leadership of the party, its president, the party secretary General and other officials, the Katonga FDC faction is blessed with the party’s founder, Dr. Kiiza Besigye and the National chairman, Ambassador Wasswa Biriggwa, who by the same party constitution is the only one mandated to convene a delegates’ conference that makes decisions for the party including its electing its leadership.
The Katonga faction conference was called by the party’s chairman and the decision adopted to dissolve the party has a big impact on the party since no delegates conference has ever been called to remove him from that office.
The FDC Najjanankumbi secretary General Nandala Mafabi, was quick to react to the move to dissolve the party describing the delegates’ conference that adopted the resolution as ‘nothing but a meeting of attention seekers.”
“We urge the public not to be misled by these acts of theatrics for which Mr. Erias Lukwago, the ring leader, has come to be known everywhere he goes”, Nandala Mafabi said. He added that the party is continuing with its mobilisation drive across the country.
In its delegates’ conference held in Kampala Monday August 19, the Forum for Democratic Change FDC, Katonga branch, adopted a resolution to dissolve the FDC party and form a new party whose name to be declared in six months and start on registration process.
In the resolutions adopted at its maiden National Delegates conference, the FDC Katonga, supported the dissolution of the original FDC party since both factions failed to resolve their differences.
14 out of 17 sub-regions that attended the delegates conference, supported forming a new political party while three, Acholi, Rwenzori and Teso had proposed reconciliation.
The resolutions adopted at the conference included extending the tenure of the current leadership of Erias Lukwago to oversee the dissolution process and the creation of a new party. This transition will involve a 6-month notice period before the new formation’s registration process begins.
The acting FDC President, Erias Lukwago told delegates that the process of dissolving the Forum for Democratic Change, will commence in accordance with article 36 of the party constitution.
The FDC Deputy president for Eastern Uganda, Salam Musumba, said dissolving the FDC party is a strategic move to rejuvenate their political struggle. “We are not here for positions in Museveni’s government but to fight for our country’s future”, she emphasized.
The FDC founding president, Dr. Kiiza Besigye, called upon FDC members and Ugandans at large to persist in their struggle. “We did not fight for a family rule. Our fight must continue and we must overcome our fear of the dictator. The efforts of our over 20 years in the FDC have not been in vain”, Dr. Besigye told delegates.
However, The Najjanankumbi Forum for the Democratic Change FDC mainstream, led by Patrick Amuriat Oboi and Nathan Nandala Mafabi, has denounced the resolutions passed by the FDC Katonga branch.
Nandala Mafabi described the FDC Katonga leaders as masqueraders adding that under the law, only FDC Najjanankumbi is legally registered with the Electoral Commission to represent the FDC party.
