Besigye to name leader of opposition

May 24, 2011

TENSION is growing in opposition camps as they anxiously wait for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party leader, Kizza Besigye, to appoint the leader of opposition in Parliament.

By Barbara Among

TENSION is growing in opposition camps as they anxiously wait for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party leader, Kizza Besigye, to appoint the leader of opposition in Parliament.

The FDC management committee met on Saturday and agreed that Besigye appoints the leader of the opposition.

In the past, party members voted for a leader of opposition in Parliament.

The outgoing leader of opposition, prof. Ogenga Latigo, lost the Agago County seat in the February 2011 parliamentary election.

The FDC party spokesperson, Wafula Oguttu, said Besigye will today pick names for the leader of opposition, which will be sent to the national executive committee for vetting.

Seven MPs have expressed interest in the position. These are Soroti Woman MP, also party secretary general Alice Alaso, Terego MP and opposition chief Whip, Kassaino Wadri, Budadiri West MP Nandala Mafabi and Dokolo Woman MP Ceclia Ogwal.

Others are Bugweri MP Abdu Katuntu and Patrick Oboi, the MP for Kumi County.

While Wadri, Alaso and Ogwal have declared their interest in the post, Mafabi has not. He said it was up to his party to decide.

However, sources said the meeting advised Besigye to drop Alaso since she is already the party secretary general and that Kassiano be left the opposition chief whip.

The favourite of the candidates, sources added, is Cecelia Ogwal. Ogwal, the meeting argued, commands respect from both the opposition and government circles. She also has several years of experience, working as an opposition politician.

However, in consultations with the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) on Monday, party leaders voiced their objection to Ogwal’s candidature.

The former UPC stalwart fell out with the party in 2005, stood as an independent candidate in 2006 and joined the FDC party last year.

Ogwal’s woes with UPC dates back to July 1996, when former party president, Apollo Milton Obote (RIP) sacked her as UPC boss and replaced her with James Rwanyarare.

In 2005, Ogwal tried to join the party, but was locked out of the delegates meeting that eventually elected Obote’s wife Miria as party president.

Ogwal has led a consistent political life.

The tough-talking born-again Christian has declined every persuasion to take up political positions offered by the NRM.

The former MP for Lira municipality is the only opposition politician; President Yoweri Museveni has tirelessly courted in the political wedlock. She declined an offer to become first woman vice-president in 2006.

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