UPC, allow FDC to lead the opposition
Apr 23, 2006
IT was not surprising that the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) withdrew from the coalition of the six major opposition political parties (G6). The coalition in reality collapsed way before the recent general elections.
By John Kakande
IT was not surprising that the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) withdrew from the coalition of the six major opposition political parties (G6). The coalition in reality collapsed way before the recent general elections.
The loose coalition came into existence over two years ago. It was known as the G7 and comprised seven parties: the Democratic Party (DP), UPC, Conservative Party (CP), Justice Forum, National Democrats Forum, The Free Movement and Reform Agenda. These parties and pressure groups were prompted to establish a loose alliance when the government proposed a dialogue with them on matters relating to the political transition. The parties wanted to take a common stand in their discussions with the government.
However, Reform Agenda (RA) had another agenda. Founded by Col. Dr Kizza Besigye after the 2001 presidential elections, RA sought to use the G7 as the springboard for establishing a merger of all the opposition political parties. This was resisted by DP and UPC — the oldest parties— which merely wanted an arrangement that would enable the parties to take joint action, but remaining distinct entities. Ultimately, RA merged with NDF and a section of the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO) to give birth to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). The G7 coalition was renamed the G6.
During the elections, the each political party was on its own. It was evident that the G6 had ceased to exist as a group. The parties — FDC, DP and UPC — treated each other more as rivals than partners. According to reports, it was the FDC, and not the NRM, that gave both the DP and UPC a headache in the elections. The FDC supporters in various parts of the country harassed Ssebaana Kizito and Miria Kalule Obote at the rallies. The FDC supporters allegedly tried to disrupt Ssebaana’s particularly in the eastern region. Miria also faced similar harassment. It is rumoured that some top FDC leaders instigated harassment of Ssebaana and Miria in order to force them to step down for Besigye. This is why Miria since elections been evidently bitter with the FDC. Miria’s announcement that UPC had withdrawn from the G6 signaled her party’s formal declaration.
But this antagonism between the three opposition parties was also evident in the parliamentary and local government elections. In some areas, for example, the FDC backed candidates that were viewed as DP dissidents. In Kampala, FDC backed MP Michael Mabikke and mayor-elect Nasser Sebaggala against the bona fide DP candidates. In Wakiso, FDC backed an independent, Gerald Kayondo, against Mathias Bwanika for the district chairmanship. Bwanika who was the DP candidate defeated Kayondo in the primaries. Samia Bugwe North MP Aggrey Awori blamed his defeat on the FDC candidate. In Lango, some UPC dissidents worked closely with the FDC leaders. This has created a situation where FDC is seen to be deliberately fuelling dissent within the other opposition parties.
Against this background, it was obvious that the opposition parties had fallen out. The problem, however, is that they are faced with a formidable opponent – the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The NRM dominates Parliament and controls majority of the local councils. The opposition parties will have to bury their hatchets and agree to work together.
A divided and ineffective opposition will not be useful for the country. In a multiparty democracy, the opposition is extremely vital. A weak and divided opposition cannot serve any useful purpose. The character of the opposition will be largely determined by FDC which has the biggest number of opposition MPs. It is the party to provide the leadership. But FDC appears to be drifting towards being ‘unilateralist and isolationist’, uninterested in engaging other opposition parties. This would be a political mistake.
jkakande@newvision.co.ug
IT was not surprising that the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) withdrew from the coalition of the six major opposition political parties (G6). The coalition in reality collapsed way before the recent general elections.
The loose coalition came into existence over two years ago. It was known as the G7 and comprised seven parties: the Democratic Party (DP), UPC, Conservative Party (CP), Justice Forum, National Democrats Forum, The Free Movement and Reform Agenda. These parties and pressure groups were prompted to establish a loose alliance when the government proposed a dialogue with them on matters relating to the political transition. The parties wanted to take a common stand in their discussions with the government.
However, Reform Agenda (RA) had another agenda. Founded by Col. Dr Kizza Besigye after the 2001 presidential elections, RA sought to use the G7 as the springboard for establishing a merger of all the opposition political parties. This was resisted by DP and UPC — the oldest parties— which merely wanted an arrangement that would enable the parties to take joint action, but remaining distinct entities. Ultimately, RA merged with NDF and a section of the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO) to give birth to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). The G7 coalition was renamed the G6.
During the elections, the each political party was on its own. It was evident that the G6 had ceased to exist as a group. The parties — FDC, DP and UPC — treated each other more as rivals than partners. According to reports, it was the FDC, and not the NRM, that gave both the DP and UPC a headache in the elections. The FDC supporters in various parts of the country harassed Ssebaana Kizito and Miria Kalule Obote at the rallies. The FDC supporters allegedly tried to disrupt Ssebaana’s particularly in the eastern region. Miria also faced similar harassment. It is rumoured that some top FDC leaders instigated harassment of Ssebaana and Miria in order to force them to step down for Besigye. This is why Miria since elections been evidently bitter with the FDC. Miria’s announcement that UPC had withdrawn from the G6 signaled her party’s formal declaration.
But this antagonism between the three opposition parties was also evident in the parliamentary and local government elections. In some areas, for example, the FDC backed candidates that were viewed as DP dissidents. In Kampala, FDC backed MP Michael Mabikke and mayor-elect Nasser Sebaggala against the bona fide DP candidates. In Wakiso, FDC backed an independent, Gerald Kayondo, against Mathias Bwanika for the district chairmanship. Bwanika who was the DP candidate defeated Kayondo in the primaries. Samia Bugwe North MP Aggrey Awori blamed his defeat on the FDC candidate. In Lango, some UPC dissidents worked closely with the FDC leaders. This has created a situation where FDC is seen to be deliberately fuelling dissent within the other opposition parties.
Against this background, it was obvious that the opposition parties had fallen out. The problem, however, is that they are faced with a formidable opponent – the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The NRM dominates Parliament and controls majority of the local councils. The opposition parties will have to bury their hatchets and agree to work together.
A divided and ineffective opposition will not be useful for the country. In a multiparty democracy, the opposition is extremely vital. A weak and divided opposition cannot serve any useful purpose. The character of the opposition will be largely determined by FDC which has the biggest number of opposition MPs. It is the party to provide the leadership. But FDC appears to be drifting towards being ‘unilateralist and isolationist’, uninterested in engaging other opposition parties. This would be a political mistake.
jkakande@newvision.co.ug