Weekly roundup: FDC throws out Nabilah, NRM outs roadmap

Jul 19, 2020

Aruu County MP Odonga Otto later in the week joined other party members in declaring his divorce from the party. The ever controversial legislator did not mince words when he said he would seek re-election but under another political organisation. 

NABILAH BOUNCED      NRM FISHING   

Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament who is also the speaker of the Opposition in Parliament, Betty Nambooze, last Tuesday related the activities in the politics of the country to a transfer window in the English Premier League. Players quit one club to join the other while others retire from the game to one reason or the other.

Nambooze was commenting on the declaration by former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Winfred Kiiza that she would not seek another elective position in politics after three terms as Woman MP for Kasese.

Kiiza is among others credited for leading the Opposition in turbulent times in Parliament as they opposed two major Bills; the amendment of Article 102, which provided for age limit for one to stand for President of Uganda and the Over the Top Tax (OTT) Bill, both of which attracted drama in Parliament.

But as analysts tried to reason why a 47-year-old, seemingly popular MP, would throw in the towel yet others that have been around longer are still holding on, the Forum for Democratic Change Party was hit by more defections in the days that followed.

Aruu County MP Odonga Otto later in the week joined other party members in declaring his divorce from the party. The ever controversial legislator did not mince words when he said he would seek re-election but under another political organisation.

Before the week ended, Bugweri County MP Abdul Katuntu also stated that his relationship with the FDC was no more. Party leaders at Najjanankumbi did not take the exits lightly, and neither were they willing to bow under the pressure of losing not just members but key figures in the Opposition camp.

FDC spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, came short of saying good riddance to particular MPs who declared they were leaving. It should be remembered that last week prominent MPs, including Jinja East's Paul Mwiru crossed camp to the newly-formed Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party.

Ssemujju, speaking about the defections on various fora, said some of the people that crossed were opportunists who were in the party for what it offered them. Meanwhile, some of the MPs have stated that FDC long veered off the path that it was formed to follow. According to academician Mwambutsya Ndebesa, the party is facing a crisis of leadership.

While still handling defections, Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Nagayi Ssempala on Thursday turned up at the FDC party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, brandishing nomination forms, only to be turned away.

Museveni meeting 'rebel' MPs and other party officials
Museveni meeting 'rebel' MPs and other party officials



According to the party's electoral commission officials, Ssempala returned the forms a day after nominations had closed and as such she could not be nominated to contest for the position of Kampala Lord Mayor on the FDC ticket.
Party officials have accused Ssempala of a number of ‘crimes', including being two-faced.

But in her defence, she said she had waited to see if the party would nominate another candidate for the position. When this did not happen, she chose to offer herself for the position. Pundits, however, accused the MP of seeking a moment in the media to boost her candidacy.

While the FDC is parting ways with members, their main rivals the NRM organization is on a fishing spree. This week saw party chairman for Eastern Uganda Capt Mike Mukula receive key figures who crossed to the ruling party at their headquarters on Kyadondo Road, Nakasero in Kampala.

At the weekend, the party's national chairman Yoweri Museveni met 29 MPs who had ‘rebelled' against the party position on certain issues. The MPs went under attack for going against the party line.

The meeting between the MPs and Mr Museveni at State House, Entebbe grabbed the headlines as the MPs used the magic word ‘sorry' to seek party blessings ahead of the general elections.

NRM officials with some of the defectors from other parties
NRM officials with some of the defectors from other parties



Still at Plot 10, Kyadondo Road, the NRM's Central Executive Committee, following a series of meetings, this week approved the party's election roadmap. Last year, the party had proposed lining up behind candidates as the best way to conduct party primaries.

They argue that the method will ensure transparency and also reduce bickering of members who will have lost. The release of the roadmap had become contentious, especially considering that election of party card holders comes at a time the country is still in partial lockdown. 
 
Meanwhile, Senior Presidential Press Secretary Don Wanyama on Saturday announced on his Twitter handle that President Museveni would address the nation on matters COVID-19 on Tuesday. It has been over a month since the President last gave an update on the global pandemic, a thing social media critics described as Mr Museveni giving Ugandans the "silent treatment".

Ugandans anticipate that the President will further ease some of the restrictions on movement and opening of certain businesses and sectors that have been closed for more than days. More clerics this week joined the call for government to allow the opening of places of worship.

Traders who ply their businesses in arcades in Kampala this week elevated their calls for opening of their shops, arguing that government should put in place standard operating procedures to allow them open.

Meanwhile, bodaboda riders have also continued to call on government to allow them carry passengers. The President's address is expected to deal with some of these and it is our prediction that the story will capture the headlines next week.

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