FDC youth want Muntu to recall Mafabi faction

By Jeff Andrew Lule

THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) students’ union has called on the party president Maj Gen. Mugisha Muntu to desist from any kind of personal political interests to strengthen the cohesion of the party ahead of the 2016 general elections.

Several students stressed that the breakaway faction of some supporters of the former Leader of Opposition, Nandala Mafabi, is likely to affect the party’s mobilization and support in the Elgon sub region.   

“Let the top executive embark on uniting the party instead og nursing personal political interests.  The fallout of the Elgon group is a big blow and they need to something about it,” Makerere University chapter party chairman, Amon Nuwabimpa said.

This follows a group of Mafabi's supporters who allegedly quit FDC to form another party, protesting his removal from the position, among other grievances.

The students raised the concern during the election of their national students’ union executive leaders at party headquarters in Najjanankumbi in Kampala.

Nuwabimpa said the party cannot achieve its objectives when it is still divided internally. “We want to see those who fell out with Muntu back. We believe what is happening is a test for the party leader and his executive. They must handle this issue with urgency because we need them,” he noted.

The national union leader, Robert Okello, said such divisions  only weaken the party. “It is hard to convince people to join the party when we are divided. It also weakens our party structures at different levels in different areas,” he noted.

Okello said the union is to come out with strategies on how to strengthen the students’ leaderships in various institutions.

“The union will be responsible for mobilizing  the students country wide as a force to increase membership. We also look at soliciting for more support come 2016,” he added.

While launching the union, the party secretary general, Alice Alaso asked the union not to conflict with the existing youth league.

“This is a student’s body which operates under the youth league. I encourage you to work hand in hand to achieve your goals,” she said.

Alaso said the party was working to make sure that there cohesion among all party members.