The National Unity Platform Party (NUP) has made significant gains in western Uganda during its country-wide tour. Notably, they have successfully secured the support of Stanley Katembeya, the chairman of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Mbarara, and Joram Bintamanya, former FDC mayoral aspirant for Fort Portal City.
Katembeya and Bintamanya, who both contested for mayoral seats in 2021 and lost to NRM candidates, crossed to NUP this week, citing a lack of seriousness and unending party wrangles in FDC.
Katembeya asserts that the disputes in FDC are far from over because Katonga and Najjanukumbi’s integrity had long been in jeopardy due to money.
“A special elder committee was constituted to try and iron out the differences in the party, but as you all saw, it just worsened the situation, and I am old; I need a party that is not conflicting; that is why I am joining NUP,” Katembeya said.
Bintamanya’s reasons are not far from those of his counterpart Katembeya, noting that FDC is too far gone for redemption since its leaders are not listening to each other and each is fighting for supremacy.
“We have lost direction; we don’t know who is leading the party anymore. People think there are only two factions, but the truth is there is a third faction, where some of us belonged; we were neither Katongo nor Najjanakumbi.
“We have been forced to fend for ourselves politically; today, I have chosen to join my brothers in NUP instead of staying with the confusion in FDC,” Bintamanya said.
According to the two defectors, FDC is currently grappling with internal conflicts, allegations of financial impropriety, corruption, and disloyalty, resulting in a state of disarray within the party. This situation has left FDC’s loyal supporters exposed and susceptible to being lured away by rival factions.
The ongoing disputes within the party have resulted in the departure of more than 50 influential individuals to NUP, among them Habib Buwembo, the former Secretary for Labour within the FDC ranks.
The recent wave of defections marks a significant turning point for alliances within opposition political parties, as their collective efforts to topple the NRM regime appear to be crumbling.
