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In a startling turn of events, consultations to form a breakaway party from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) have been unveiled. This has sent shockwaves throughout the political landscape, leaving many wondering what the future holds for the party and its members.

The consultations were initiated by a group of high-ranking party officials led by former FDC party president, Dr Col (Rtd) Kiiza Besigye who have grown disillusioned with the party's leadership and direction following an alleged sh7b financial scandal that involved party president Patrick Amuriat Oboi and secretary general Nathan Nandala Mafabi in 2021 general elections.

The group, which includes former party chairman, Wasswa Birigwa, former Rukingiri Municipality MP, Roland Kaginda, and several prominent party members in absentia, has been meeting in secret for several weeks, discussing the possibility of forming a new party political entity.

FDC party leaders, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, former party president Dr Kiiza Besigye, former FDC chairperson Wasswa Birigwa and others. (Photo by Isaac Nuwagaba)

Chaired by Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda on Monday, March 11, at Kireka Rehabilitation Centre in Wakiso District, the reasons behind the move are said to be varied, but sources indicate that one of the main factors is the party's poor performance in recent elections.

“FDC has struggled to gain traction with voters, and many within the party feel that the current leadership is unable to inspire and mobilise the electorate,” Nganda said.

Another factor is said to be the party's internal divisions and infighting. FDC has long been plagued by factionalism, with various groups vying for control and influence within the party. The consultations are seen as a way to break free from these divisions and start anew.

While the news is likely to come as a shock to many FDC supporters, it is important to note that the consultations are still in their early stages.

“No formal decisions have been made, and it remains to be seen whether the party will indeed be disbanded because we shall first consult our voters countrywide to decide on the new course of action,” Nganda disclosed.

A breakaway faction from the existing party at Najjanankumbi headquarters seeks to engage with different change-seeking political formations and individuals to discuss the possibility of creating a new political entity to better represent the interests of Ugandans seeking peaceful change of power from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.

"We recognise that there is a need for a new political party that will truly serve the masses and not just the interests of the elite few in the existing political formations controlled under President Yoweri Museveni’s remote control," Ssemujju said.

However, the mere fact that such consultations are taking place speaks to the depth of discontent within the FDC. The party's leadership has faced criticism for its handling of recent elections, and many members feel that the party is in need of a fresh start.

Money in politics

Former FDC party president, Dr Kiiza Besigye, warned the public against love for dirty money if they are to fight for the change of governance in a country governed under the influence of money and guns.

“If we must change this country from a few who captured its operations, we must be able to deal with dirty money that comes from Museveni to divide us, propaganda that is peddled in society by the media and desist from fear and cultivate faith and zeal to cause change through revolutionary means,” he said.

“We have trained democratic leaders for a system that doesn't exist. We have trained the Mpuuga’s for a system that doesn't exist. The country we call Uganda and its people have never chosen its leaders. We live in a country owned by others. The people of Uganda have never owned Uganda.

Prepare to enter the fight against the successors who replaced the British administrators. They only do what the white man did to control us for 70 years before Uganda gained independence in 1962. We need leaders who can dictate how country resources should be managed including controlling guns that has instilled fear since 1962,” he challenged.

“Our fight is not only against Mr Museveni and those he uses to capture our resources but rather the system which gives Ugandans a say to dictate how their resources should be used to their benefit,” he added.

“What will liberate this country is a revolution, not an election! Fighting is the only way through which we will liberate ourselves. Non-violent means of fighting are available to use,” Besigye said, quoting Article 3 of the Constitution.

The future of the FDC remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the political landscape in Uganda is about to undergo a significant shift. Whether the party will survive in its current form or be replaced by a new political entity remains to be seen. One thing is for sure: the days ahead will be filled with intrigue and speculation.

Kikonyogo rubbishes new party

When the FDC party spokesperson John Kikonyogo was contacted on the matter, he trashed the development saying the Katonga faction cannot manage because they do not have the resources to run the party.

“We stopped funding Katonga the day they started bringing issues of money to the public. They can’t form a new party and they call it FDC because we have it already registered. Let them go ahead because FDC has never deviated from the original paths since its formation in 2005,” Kikonyogo said.

“Starting a new political party is not just a mere discussion in public, let them do it and we see how many weeks it shall stand,” he added.

“Even the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) threatened to split FDC but they failed in the recently concluded elections in 2021 and they could not even have a single member of parliament and it did not shake FDC,” Kikonyogo noted.

This is not the first time the FDC party members have created a new formation but it started in 2019 when a new party ANT under the leadership of former party president, Maj (Rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu separated from the mother party.

Despite registering minimal impact in its first election participation in 2021, it remains one of the credible parties Ugandans have watched from a distance without running to embrace its ideologies.