I will leave FDC if conflicts persist, says Gen. Muntu

PIC: Mugisha Muntu (second left) during the FDC presidential elections  at Namboole

The former president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Gen. Mugisha Muntu, has said he will not hesitate to leave the party if the internal conflicts are not solved.

Gen. Muntu says the internal conflicts, which have raged on over the years need to first be settled to allow the smooth running of the party that is in line with its values.

"For the five years I was in office, my focus was on developing the party, but with a lot of in-fights which paralyzed me," Gen. Muntu told FDC and other party members who turned up for his consultation in Gulu municipality on Wednesday.

When Muntu was tasked to explain his motive for conducting the consultations, he noted that the recommendations and other issues generated shall form his engagement with the current party leaders on how they should manage the inner fights.

"If these fights are not solved, I will not be part of the crisis in the party," he also added that; "I will join another formation that has my values."

The former president who handed over power to Patrick Oboi Amuriat, the new party president, said both styles of defiance and party building can be carried on concurrently only if the national party members and at lower levels understand how they should be implemented.

The General observed that it's had to operate in an environment where a section of members are fighting to paralyze a leader for the sake of their interest.

He, however, ruled out any possibility of forming own party as some people speculate, adding that if that was the case, he would have done it as soon as he handed over office.

"In November last year when I handed over power, there were a lot of anger and frustrations inside me and that is time I would have taken my own direction," he added.

Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Gulu district chairman, commended the initiative taken by Muntu to hold the consultations and quickly lashed out at the elders in the party from the headquarters for not joining in the process.

Mapenduzi, who is also an FDC member, noted that the party has internal problems and it's time to refocus all the energies and find a solution for them.

The chairman expressed disappointment that at a time when Muntu decided to hold consultations, that's when FDC secretariat wrote opposing the move.

"Muntu has legitimate questions and the answers must come from the FDC headquarters and not from him," he added.

He also promised never to be part of any programme like going on streets to protest, noting that the strategy is not sustainable at all.

Zeru Abuga, a former contestant Member of Parliament from UPC party in Nwoya district noted with concern that there's lack of focus among parties, adding the members elected end up changing and start doing what is contrary to the objectives.

Abuga said at some fronts when parties unite for a common goal like forwarding a single candidate for presidential candidate, the FDC self-interest seekers find all means possible to spoil the move.

Rose Amono Abili said to change this current regime, it requires for inclusive participation which must be attained by first sensitizing people.