FDC denies Museveni-Besigye talks

By Henry Sekanjako  

FORUM for Democratic Change (FDC) has denied allegations that President Yoweri Museveni and FDC leader Dr. Kizza Besigye were planning to hold direct talks. 

This follows media reports that there are ongoing discussions to have Museveni and Besigye hold direct talks under the chairmanship of former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa.

Addressing journalists at Parliament on Tuesday, FDC party spokesperson, who is also the Bukhooli county MP Wafula Oguttu, said the talks between the two leaders were non-existent.

He said the party was not ready to have any talks behind closed doors.

“We don’t support and encourage any talks between two people. Museveni meeting Besigye behind closed doors will not happen,” Wafula explained.

Stakeholder involvement

He added that the party was open to dialogue with anyone but it would only entertain a dialogue that involves all stakeholders such as different political party leaders and religious leaders to discuss the future of the country and the direction it should take. 

Wafula described the alleged talks as false and noted that the party would only take part in talks that are chaired by a neutral person agreed upon by stakeholders. 

“We want a meeting that is open and well-structured with an agreed agenda. We don’t trust president Museveni because he doesn’t have a record of honouring what has been agreed on with people. His words cannot be relied on,” Wafula said. 

He cited the recent Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue where they agreed on electoral reforms that were signed by different political parties and the government failed to agree on issues such as instituting term limits.

Wafula noted that there have been discussions on national executive committee (NEC) that are open to religious leaders, elder’s forum but the government had failed to use this opportunity and only calls for talks when  it wants.