Today, the forum for Democratic change celebrates 15 years of existence in Uganda’s political sphere since its creation as a pressure group consisting mainly of disillusioned former members of the national resistance movement.
For even longer, its former president and defacto leader, Kizza Besigye has challenged President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for Presidency of Uganda.
It would suffice to say that the FDC has provided the best next thing to opposition of Musevenis reign in power in recent times.
It is therefore kind of damning to say that the fdc’s biggest achievement in its short life has been to escort the president on his walk to state house.
And perhaps its second and most prominent contribution to this country has perhaps been the demonstrations and the riots that they have held in attempt to unlawfully remove the sitting government.
Many of these have always been held right after the general elections and others scattered around. The impact of these riots has mostly been negligible amidst accusations that they were supported by elements in Police to justify its huge Budgets.
The FDC has also been involved in stifling the growth of political parties in the country. The party is not known for cooperation with other like minded forces and has always been seen to stifle efforts by other political parties to challenge their dominance. It is no coincidence that historical parties like the DP and UPC have almost been rendered extinct.
The FDC has is also not a party known to allow the expansion of the political space in the country. As a party, they don’t allow existence of dissenting forces and have been known to evict members who have held opposite views to the party leadership.
In the light of such evidence, it is clear that the FDC has struggled to make a lasting impact on Democratic Governance in the country and thus should consider a change of name to reflect their true impact on our political space.
