FDC officials return from self-imposed exile

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) South Africa chapter chairman Maj Tom Mugizi and another party official Michael Sseruwagi Kakooza have returned from what they described as self-imposed exile.

The duo was on Wednesday introduced to Journalists at the Uganda Media Center by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) boss Brig. Charles Bakahumura

Explaining the CMI's role at the press conference, Bakahumura said they got involved because Mugizi was a member of the UPDF.

"Major Mugizi was a member of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces before he went into exile in 2001 and started working for apolitical party. He came back a few days ago and reported to as the army, we welcomed him," Bakahumura said.

Mugizi explained that he fled the country after receiving threats against his life.

"I decided to jump board and went to South Africa where I started studying and later joined the leadership of the FDC and became chairman. By the time I left they had not yet elected a new chairman," he said.

He further said when he returned he did not expect the kind of welcome he had received.

"When I left, my name was all over the media that I had joined rebellion and that is not true," he said.

He said the team living in self-imposed exile in South Africa was big but that they had only returned 2.

 CMI boss Brig. Charles Bakahumura

"I wanted to come back so that I can use my vast skill and knowledge to develop my country," Mugizi said as he thanked all those who had been there for him.

Mugizi said he was aware that some sections of the media would soon pass judgment against those who had returned but insisted that he had not been forced to return.

On his part, Kakooza said he was forced to flee after sections of police and army officers arrested him from Bushenyi and detained him on trumped up terror charges.

"I was later released but on 19th March 2005 as I was returning home, I found it surrounded and decided to flee. I could not take chances. I have never seen my family since then," he said.

It however remained unclear whether the 2 would remain opposition figureheads in the country or had rejoined the Government because the media was blocked from asking questions.

Brig. Bakahumura appealed to all those in exile to return home maintaining that there was no threat against any of them.

 "I would appeal to all those who are out of the country especially the errant officers to come back home," he said.