The Four-time Presidential Candidate Rtd. Col. Kizza Besigye, founder of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Najjanakumbi, having failed to secure a win at the top job in the country, rather than hang up his gloves, chose to skillfully destroy the once popular largest opposition political party in the country by creating another Faction of the People’s Front for Transition (PFT), Katonga.
According to Nandala Mafabi, Besigye was seen clearly exiting FDC; however, rather than take the back seat and let the elected party leaders take charge, he kept showing his presence and would at times use his influence to override the decisions of the other members.
“President Amuriat made it clear that he should step aside and allow the elected people to run the party, I guess it did not go down well with him. With this resistance, he skillfully mobilised a team loyal to him and formed the People Front for Transition,” Mafabi said.
Mafabi added that, with the creation of PFT, under the assumption of bringing all political parties together, Besigye was trying to create a royal team at Katonga that would take on the Najjanakumbi team under the elected President Amuriat.
According to John Kikonyongo, this has, of course, created the current irreconcilable differences seen among its members. This has left the party with no apparent direction, support dwindling, and fights between Najjanakumbi and Katonga.
“Besigye is holding FDC hostage with his calculated falsehoods laced with hate and personal disgruntlement, and some members, as a matter of necessity, have followed him to Katonga and cannot accept that they have lost it all, and if we don’t move to the middle ground of good-faith disagreement and compromise, the party is doomed,” Kikonyongo said.
The unbraided firebrands holding FDC sails are Patrick Oboi Amuriat, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, Prosscovia Salaamu Musumba, Philipo Wafula Oguttu, and Katonga held by Besigye , Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Erias Lukwago, and Doreen Nyanjura. With each side accusing the other, the waggon of the next FDC presidency isn’t likely to move FDC to a middle ground. Since it is already in pieces, which Besigye worked hard to achieve.
With the above, one can equate Besigye’s move of dividing the party to a child who loves his toy so much (even when he outgrows it) that he does not want to share it with others and decides to divide the toy under the guise of sharing.
The Uganda’s Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party, once known for its unity and powerhouse of opposition politics, is now under siege from internal wars. The party, which has been a beacon of hope for many in the opposition, is witnessing its strength being devoured by in-fighting and division.
