FDC factions agree on dialogue

POLITICS | FDC

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Patrick Amuriat, has met his immediate predecessor Maj Gen (rtd) Mugisha Muntu in a bid to resolve the contradictions arising from the recently concluded party presidential elections.

The meeting took place on Friday afternoon at an undisclosed location in Kampala.

In a tweet, Amuriat said the meeting that was also attended by the former Bukonjo East MP Yokasi Bihande, a member of FDC national executive committee, was cordial and in the spirit of friendship.

"A number of issues were raised and discussed. To me this is the first step in our attempt to harmonise our relationship and to try to establish a new working arrangement," he said.

He noted that although the meeting was not conclusive, a lot of progress was made.

"I kindly request for restraint from our supporters and membership of FDC… Allow the healing process to proceed soberly," the former Kumi County MP implored.

Amuriat stated that they were committed to holding follow up meetings "resuming at the turn of New Year".

"I salute President Muntu for his commitment to keep our party intact amidst media speculation that there could be a split in the party," he tweeted.

Muntu also speaks
Muntu also took to his twitter account and said the reason for the meeting was to initiate the process of dialogue that their team had committed to in the aftermath of November 24 elections.

"During the meeting, I reiterated to him (Amuriat) the need to deal with the root causes of the party's internal contradictions in an honest, open and conciliatory manner," Muntu said.

He said this was the first of what he hoped would be several productive meetings. "We agreed to have the next meeting in January, upon my return to the country," he tweeted.

Party split
FDC, which is the main Opposition party, has been split into two camps since the November 24 delegates' conference where Amuriat scored 641, representing 57.6% of the votes cast, against Muntu's 463, which is 41.7%.

The split sparked speculation Muntu camp may quit the party and form their own, although Muntu has since dispelled the rumours, but leaving his options open until after his nationwide consultations.

While appearing on a talk-show on one of the local radio stations in Kampala on December 2, Muntu admitted that there were factions in the party that was formed in December 2004 by politicians who had unsuccessfully campaigned for Dr Kizza Besigye against President Yoweri Museveni under the Reform Agenda.

He told party members towing the defiance line that their efforts were in vain. "My major concern was to build a strong party and prepare it to take up office, defiance alone, which I am blamed for not supporting, cannot take us to power. We need to think of other avenues," Muntu said.