CP's Lukyamuzi threatens to pull out of TDA

By Moses Mulondo 

Conservative Party president (CP) John Ken Lukyamuzi has threatened to quit The Democratic Alliance (TDA) if his suggestions are ignored by the top leadership.

"As CP, we have some reservations which must be addressed before we determine who will be the presidential flagbearer of TDA,” Lukyamuzi told New Vision on Tuesday.

TDA is a coalition of the major opposition parties and pressure groups whose mission is to field joint candidates at all levels to capture power and constitute a transitional government of national unity to undertake all the necessary political, social and economic reforms in the country. 


Lukyamuzi said: “Our first reservation is that we are worried about the continued connection of Amama Mbabazi to NRM which denied him the opportunity to contest its presidency. We think the traditional opposition must be at the forefront of leading change.”
 

Amama Mbabazi share a light moment with Col. Kizza Besigye at the TDA offices on Sept 11, 2015. (Credit: Mary Kansiime)

Lukyamuzi explained that it is dangerous for TDA to give the opposition flag to former Prime Minister Mbabazi who has continued to claim he still belongs to the ruling NRM party.

“If Mbabazi seriously wants to lead the opposition in challenging NRM’s (President Yoweri), let him declare that he has quit  NRM. Otherwise his candidature puts us at a risk because it can legally be challenged.


DP flagbearer and president Norbert Mao signs nomination forms before presenting them to the chairman of TDA John Okello Okello-Olello (right) in Kampala on Sept 7, 2015. Left is DP Secretary General Matia Nsubuga. (Credit: Wilfred Sanya)

Lukyamuzi, who is known to be backing Dr. Kizza Besigye, revealed that the Inter-Religious Council (IRC) has written to them indicating they have secured funds to conduct a presidential debate for the alliance as they did for FDC.


DP’s Norbert Mao is also on record to have requested for a presidential debate before a flag bearer is selected.

Having announced that the joint presidential candidate would be announced on Friday, TDA has only Thurday to conduct the debate.