FDC to grill Otto over Mbabazi demo

By Nicholas Wassajja

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leadership will call for a disciplinary committee to take action against Aruu County MP Odonga Otto.

The party leadership said Otto’s action of staging a demonstration against former prime minister Amama Mbabazi’s bid to run for President in 2016 is against the party interests.

Acting FDC president Reagan Okumu said that they (FDC) are willing to work with anyone fighting against the regime, thus they would question in whose interest Otto is working.

“There are complaints and petitions from party members who have expressed concern over Otto’s behavior and he will be summoned and dealt with accordingly,” Okumu told New Vision.

Speaking during a weekly news conference, FDC spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda questioned whether Otto is still a genuine member of the FDC.

  Forum for Democratic change (FDC) spokesperson Ssemujju Nganda addressing journalists during the FDC weekly briefing at their party headquarters on 20/07/2015. Photo/Godiver Asege

“I doubt if he still understands what he is saying. Otto is a like a misguided missile that can bomb anyone. He has become like a machinery hired by everyone including the NRM to fight their battles but we shall not tolerate this kind of behavior,” Nganda raged.

On July 14, Otto masterminded a 10-km anti Amama Mbabazi walk against his bid for presidency from Kamdini trading center to Karuma along Kampala-Gulu highway.

Efforts to get a comment from Otto were futile as his known numbers were off. However, addressing journalists during his demonstration in Oyam county, Otto said that they didn’t approve of Mbabazi’s candidature because he shunned their region for a long time.

FDC electoral commission chairman Dan Mugarura supplemented Okumu saying that the complaints will be tabled before the disciplinary committee for relevant action to be taken.

Meanwhile, the FDC also urged rival agents with in its party to desist from bickering and mudslinging as they campaign for different candidates in the flag bearer race.

The words of caution came in the wake of a tight contest for the 2016 presidential flag bearer between party president Mugisha Munutu and his predecessor Kiiza Besigye.

Naganda said, “Information available indicates that some supporters and agents of the different camps are going round badmouthing their opponents but this should stop with immediate effect.”

Without disclosing any names, Nganda said that as a government in waiting, instead of denting each other’s image, members should use the campaign platforms to preach FDC policies and how they will transform Uganda when they get to power.