'Now that Muntu has dumped FDC, who next?'

Sep 28, 2018

"It is certain that FDC failed to harmonise the ideological differences that were ripping the party apart."

OPINION

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By Munguongeyo Ivan

Fellow Ugandans, these are not the best of times for Opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).


The trending news is that the former party president, Gen. Mugisha Muntu, has done what he deemed "wise and appropriate" by officially leaving the party this week.

Muntu said it became apparent that he had to quit the party he led for five years and cited internal conflicts and ideological differences amongst other issues.

Let no-one say it is not a big deal.

And even if it is not, it is still big news, and an even bigger embarrassment to a party that has an ambition of unseating the long-time serving leader - President Yoweri Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

I, therefore, wish to disagree vehemently with most people within the FDC and other observers who believe that Muntu's exit from the embattled party is a non-event.

If truth must be told, I believe this is just the beginning of a mass exodus from a fledgling party that is certainly on the road to perdition, unless drastic measures are taken to stem the rot in FDC, seriously and sincerely heal wounds and massage miffed egos, mistrust and suspicion.

Muntu said FDC was rocked by internal wrangles

 

The reasons Muntu adduced for leaving the party are very valid to keen observers of events, especially after Patrick Oboi Amuriat (POA) came to top FDC leadership, even though they may sound like sour grapes, coming from him.

It is certain that FDC failed to harmonise the ideological differences that were ripping the party apart. Failure to settle such pressing issues over time has allowed some FDC's golden assets to walk away from the party.

The same words being bandied now were the same we heard repeatedly then: "Beatrice Anywar, Betty Olive Kamya and company can leave, they won't be missed in FDC!"

Unfortunately, their exit wreaked maximum havoc on FDC, and today, the party is still wondering what hit it like a thunderbolt.

However, my opinion is that Muntu still has a big role to play in the affairs of Uganda. At his age (59), he is undoubtedly one of the most experienced and exposed leaders in our country because he's been able to serve in top positions in the army and ruling party.

Much as it is still early to predict his next course of actions, I can anticipate that Muntu will be harbouring something bigger than what FDC could offer him.

I say with all emphasis at my command that any attempt to persuade Muntu back to FDC against his ‘political will' will backfire.

Likewise, people who have been branding Muntu as an NRM mole should now be at peace with him. At this point in time, FDC needs to torch itself, get back to the basics and re-organise the party, if anything better is to come from FDC in the near future.

The time to properly correct ills and wrong is now; otherwise it will be too late!

(The writer is a Commonwealth correspondent)



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