FDC not interested in leader of opposition

Considering that the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has the highest number of parliamentarians in the opposition, the assumption would be that the internal political atmosphere has reached fever pitch on who will take up the lucrative leader of opposition (LOP) seat.

But  according to Aswa County MP and FDC vice president Regan Okumu, "Our victory was stolen and we are not settling for less, we are looking forward on who will be the next leader of government business after Ruhakana Rugunda, We are not organizing ourselves to take up leader of opposition but to liberate this country." He left many astonished.

Okumu was responding to questions from journalists on whether any members have expressed interest in being selected LOP of the 10th parliament, during a news conference yesterday.

"Gentleman is this a joke? We've had that LOP position for over 10 years but it's not what we are working for. Why don't you ask me on who will be the next Prime Minister after me revealing our plans of ousting NRM before date of swearing in," Okumu raged, rousing a burst of laughter from scribes.

FDC Deputy president, Reagan Okumu with the Party President Gen Mugisha Muntu after a meeting at the party head offices in Najjanamkubi on 1st Mar 2016. Photo by Nicholas Oneal

Sources in the party ranks confided to New Vision that the race for the next LoP will be down to Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kizza, Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal, Agago county MP Murice Ogenga Latigo and the Budadiri West MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi

In the recently concluded general elections, FDC managed 36 MPs while the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) got 280 representatives. Other political parties in the August house are Democratic Party (DP) with 14MPs and 6 for UPC.

The law in the multi-party dispensation allows for the LOP according to numerical strength. The current LOP Philip Wafula Oggutu was defeated during the Bugiri county MP contest.

Okumu accused the NRM of rigging the elections which didn't only affect the presidential outcome but also the results of the local councils and MPs.

However Uganda Media Center deputy executive director Colonel Shaban Bantariza said that an election petition is going on and court should be left to determine whether the election was rigged or not.

Okumu also said that they are willing to engage in dialogue with the seating government for as long as certain conditions are met.

He however, ruled out engaging in conditional talks that do not add value to the country's transformative agenda.

"We are very open to talks on peaceful transfer of power to move the country forward but not power sharing. We are not mild as critics point out; actually we are meeting with some people inside government because they also know that the election was stolen. This is not Museveni's personal estate so we expect him to be open to ideas contributing to national development," said Okumu.

Okumu said they are willing to hold a true dialogue under a four principle agreement with a clear agenda and equal conditions for both sides.

He also pointed at the presence of a neutral arbiter, broader talks to accommodate other stakeholders and a credible guarantor to facilitate the dialogue.

"The third parties must be acceptable to both the government and the opposition and the idea of having observers in a public venue is also welcomed," emphasized Okumu.