Horns still locked at FDC

More than one month since severe internal contradictions erupted at the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), horns are still locked.

The latest development is the party secretary general, Nandala Mafabi declining to arrange for an extra-ordinary delegates conference summoned by the party national chairman, Wasswa Birigwa.

Nandala in his response to Birigwa, highlighted technicalities which may not favor the convening of a special delegates conference.

Nandala informed Birigwa in writing that whereas he can invoke powers under article 25 (5)a of the party constitution to cause an extra-ordinary national delegates conference, this is not exercised in isolation.

In his August 15 circular, Birigwa said the special delegates’ conference will take place on September 19, a date he insisted can’t be changed by the Nandala group.

Birigwa’s circular was also counter signed by the four vice-chairpersons: James Otto, Proscovia Salaamu Musumba, Roland Kaginda Mugume and Mukalazi Kibuka.

The party chairman said the delegates will receive reports from the party chairperson, party president, secretary general and treasurer general, plenary, resolutions and adjournment.

Birigwa later confirmed to reporters in Kampala that the current contentious issues in the party including the ‘illegitimate’ money would also be discussed at the conference.

Nandala quoting article 28(4)(b) in his response dated August 18, 2023, reminded Birigwa that he can’t go ahead to convene a delegates’ conference while isolating the secretary general who is the party principal executive and the accounting officer, head of the secretariat, secretary to the delegates conference, responsible for compliance with all the legal obligations of the party and the custodian of the party seal.

“The party president is the chief executive officer of the party and chair of the party working committee of the national executive committee (NEC), which acts as the party cabinet under article 22,” Nandala said.

Nandala added; “With new leaders elected, the implication is that the term of office of certain delegates expired and as such when you call the so-called the extra-ordinary delegates conference, there is confusion which delegates you are calling, those whose terms expired? Or the new ones who haven’t elected NEC and consequently their chairperson?”

The bickering between the two factions (Najjanankumbi vs Katongo) peaked on July 17 following the Nsambya consultative meeting convened by the party spokesperson, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda.

To date the unfolding events in the formerly lead opposition party in Parliament, have remained the most thrilling extract for headlines and the confusion has not spared Parliament.

According to political pundits, the Nsambya meeting did not only spark the latest controversy, but laid bare the multifaceted problems that have been consuming the party inside.

Ssemujju, among others accompanied by the party acting vice president and Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, accused Nandala and Amuriat of being the regime’s moles.

The Kira Municipality legislator went on to accuse the duo of receiving dirty money from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) on top of harboring a sinister plan to pass on the party to NRM and its chairman, President Yoweri Museveni.

The debate gained extended hype, when the party’s founder and four-time Presidential candidate, Dr. Kizza Besigye came out publicly accusing Nandala of receiving money from the State House and that Amuriat was his partner in crime.

Besigye claimed overwhelming evidence that the sh300m Nandala brought to his home was from State House wrapped in Bank of Uganda labels.

The select committee of the party elders led by Dr. Frank Nabwiso, has since cleared Nandala and Amuriat of receiving illegitimate money from hostile sources, instead accusing Besigye of attempts to micro-manage the party.