TDA-Go Forward alliance holds first general meeting

By Moses Mulondo

THE newly created TDA-Go Forward coalition of political parties backing former premier Amama Mbabazi on Thursday held its first general meeting at Crested Towers in Kampala.

Chaired by the Democratic Party Secretary General Mathias Nsubuga, the alliance agreed on various undertakings which will enable win the presidency, parliamentary and local government positions.

It was resolved that SDP president Michael Mabikke acts as its spokesperson and PPP's spokesperson Sadam Gayira acts as the deputy spokesperson.

Mbabazi did not attend the meeting because he is currently out of the country meeting his supports abroad and is expected to return over the weekend.

Journalists were turned away from covering the meeting which started at 10:00am and ended at 4:00pm with representatives from all the political groups backing Mbabazi.

The groups that attended the meeting according to Gayira include DP, UPC faction led by Olara Otunnu, Uganda Federal Alliance, Peoples Progressive Party, Social Democratic Party, Go Forward Pressure Group, Justice Forum and some members of the Conservative Party and Pressure for National Unity.

CP Secretary General James Mugobansonga said, "Apart from CP president John Ken Lukyamuzi and the vice president for Buganda Abbey Muwesi, all other CP leaders are backing Mbabazi."

CP leaders in Mbabazi's camp, according to Mugobansonga, include himself, the chairman Simon Kasirye, Vice President for the west Henry Tumukunde, Vice President for the North Nyangtum Ongumu, Vice President for the East Sam Wambuya, and the party youth leader Phionah Achilo.

Making clarifications on reports that the camp had broken away from the The Democratic Alliance, Gayira said, "We have agreed that it is not true that we have broken away from TDA. What we are doing is to see how we can move together as the majority TDA parties which chose to back Mbabazi. We are still part of TDA."

The coalition, Gayira revealed, resolved to set up joint structures/committees of not less than 21 people at the national, regional, district, and all other levels to implement their mission of winning power in the forthcoming general elections.

Sources revealed that the members had a debate on what they should call their new alliance to avoid confusion about the name.

"We agreed that we define ourselves as an alliance within an alliance but not a breakaway as media reports indicated. Discussions on the name are still on but some have suggested that we call ourselves TDA Uganda," said one of the members of the new alliance.

Commenting on the meeting, Mathias Nsubuga said, "The meeting was fruitful. We have agreed to hit the ground with our candidate across the country as we also prepare joint candidates at other various levels. Our next meeting will be on Monday."