By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
National
Atkins Godfrey Katushabe, the member of Parliament for Bukhonzo county West in Kasese district has publicly scolded Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the Secretary General of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), for his misconduct in organizing party structure elections.
Katushabe and other party officials were gathering at Fairway Hotel Nakaseero where they criticized Mafabi for failing to properly organize internal elections, which they say has caused confusion and disunity within the party. They argue that the FDC is the only party that can provide desirable national leadership that the country is crying out for.
“We have more work to do to save our sons and daughters in the FDC and the work we are going to do is not negotiable. We are not going to compromise on that to save our country,” Katushabe said.
He accused Nandala and the party president Hon. Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuriat of tribal politicking which is against the culture of the FDC.
“We are not looking for an Emorimor (the King of Teso), Umukuka (King of Bugisu), we are looking for national leaders. We are not looking for regional chiefs and kings, we are looking for national leaders because our country is crying out for national leadership” Katushabe added.
Katushabe agreed to decision by other party members to put on hold all ongoing electoral processes until the party NEC meet to draw a way forward to resolve issues within the FDC and conduct fresh election. He expressed readiness for rescuing the party from Nandala and Amuriat accused of plotting to sell FDC to NRM.
He says that FDC is ready to roll up its sleeves and fight for the country, and that whoever says that this is the end of the FDC is wrong. “This is the start of the march to State House,” he said.
FDC is one of the main opposition parties in Uganda, and is seen as a strong competitor to the ruling National Resistance Movement. However, it has faced challenges in last quarter of the year, including internal divisions caused by allegations that the party Secretary General and president allegedly received money from President Museveni to fund the 2021 general elections. The once solid party is now divided into two factions one headed by SG Nandala and another indirectly commanded by former party president Dr. Kizza Besigye under Hon. Ssemujju Nganda.
Observers say that the FDC’s ability to resolve these issues and present a united front will be critical in the upcoming general elections, which are expected to be highly competitive.
