By Leonard Kamugisha Akida and Annet Nakanwagi,
KAMPALA
After months of investigation and many public accusations of corruption against Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi and party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat, the report of the Elders Committee inquiry showed no proof of such misconduct.
Sections of the FDC leaders led by the Kiira municipality member of parliament also the party Spokesperson, Hon. Ssemujju Nganda and the central deputy president, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago have been accusing SG Nandala and Amuriat of receiving over Shs7b from the State House to fund party activities in the 2021 general elections. The accusations were according to reports first raised by the party founding president Col Dr Kizza Besigye Kifefe (Rtd) during the 15th National Council meeting held on 25th- 26th November, 2022.
Due to these allegations, the Meeting resolved to institute a committee of elders headed by Prof. Nabwiso to investigate the matter in its depth.
In a report presented at the 16th National Council Meeting on Friday (July 28), the committee acknowledged that there was no money that came into FDC from the State House.
Hon. Proscovia Salaam Musumba, FDC vice Chairperson for Eastern region disclosed that the committee did not find any evidence on the alleged corruption scandals.
“58 against 8 members adopted the report and the meeting resolved that the report be presented in all the districts. NEC passed a resolution that the party working committee borrow the money and no money came into FDC through unclear sources,” she said
Salaam Musumba was chairing the meeting however, she did not release financial documents detailing how the alleged money was borrowed and how much monies were spent on various electoral activities.
Earlier on, the former Leader of Opposition also Secretary to the NEC, Hon. Betty Aol Ocan said the Ssemujju fact did not follow the right procedures to raise their accusations. She welcomed findings of the report and asked for reconciliation between the two factions.
“The allegations that came up were not put in the right forum. The elders gave us findings of their report and as the people who were involved in these conflicts we are satisfied with the report. It is just forgiveness,” Aol said
“The truth is there were some transactions but that we must forgive and move on. We cannot allow the party to be stagnant and move backwards. But we warn the people who have tampered the party. If one person decides to leave the party, it should be an individual decision.” She added.
Speaking to Parrots Media, the FDC president Patrick Oboi Amuriat said the reports have relieved them from the exonorration by party members who had christened them several names. Amuriat disclosed that there are already ongoing arrangements to reconcile both the Hon. Ssemujju fact and the Nandala Mafabi fact to ensure unity in the party.
“Dr. Kizza Besigye is our father, we recognize him of certain roles he plays and he is a cornerstone of the party. We cannot do without him. And so of necessity, we are going to continue engaging there is no doubt about talking to him,” Amuriat said
On the issue of having two centres of power one at Najjanankumbi and another at Katonga road the home of People’s Government under Dr. Kizza Besigye, Amuriat said they are going to bridge the gap between the two centres to cut out the indifferences.
“There three major areas to look into and that is the area of funding, activism against the internal elections and our relationship,” Amuriat revealed party’s position after findings of the committee report.
Although the report findings were read and adopted, there were few noticed members from the complaint side. This leaves many questions unanswered on whether sanity will be restored within the FDC.
However, the committee chair Prof Nabwiso has advised either parties to reconcile, forgive each other for betterment of the FDC
“Dr. Besigye and Nandala Mafabi have been working together for over the last two decades, why don’t they still work together?” Nabwiso challenged
“I am not among the few Ugandans that believe in anarchy. I want a smooth change of government,” Nabwiso added calling for alliance between opposition political parties.
He said the report is credible and had not been accessed by any member of the two conflicting groups dismissing allegations by the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago that the report has been doctored to favour the accused persons.
“None of the FDC leaders has seen that report … He who says that it was doctored should be the one to tell who doctored the report and in whose favour,” Nabwiso said.
