Mafabi has no power to expel us, FDC independent candidates

#UGDecides2021|FDC|INDEPENDENTS

RUKUNGIRI - Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) members Ingrid Turinawe who is Contesting as an Independent candidate in Rukungiri Municipality and Darius Tweyambe who is contesting as Rukungiri Municipality independent candidate for the position of Rukungiri Municipality Mayor have told off party Secretary General Nandala Mafabi saying he has no powers to expel them.

"Mafabi has no power to evict us from the party. He should handle me carefully because the elections are soon and he may need me," Turinawe stated.

Ingrid blamed Mafabi for her woes in the party noting that even though she had raised issues of rigging during the party primaries, Mafabi never investigated the matter.

"We petitioned him to intervene but he did nothing," Turinawe said.

FDC on Tuesday (December 8, 2020) expelled three of its members from the party after they defied the party Constitution and stood as independent candidates after losing out in the primaries.

Turinawe, Winnie Babihuga and Tweyambe were expelled from the party with the party Secretary General, quoting Article 12(d) of their Constitution to expel the trio.

Article 12(d) on Cessation states that "If a member joins another party or in an election stands as an independent cease to be a member of FDC.

FDC announced its official candidates in Rukungiri were, Dr. Wallen Nuwagaba Tumwine (Rukungiri Municipality), Betty Muzanira (Woman MP Rukungiri), Charles Maharu (Mayor Rukungiri Municipality) Fred Turyamuhweza (Rujumbura Constituency) and Naboth Namanya (Rubabo County).

Turinawe noted that if she wanted to leave the party, she would do so on her own and that nobody had the right to speak for her.

Turinawe accused Mafabi of being selective noting that so many other candidates had stood as independents citing the case of John Kikonyogo who stood as an independent against Joyce Sebugwawo for the position of Lubaga Division Chairman but nothing was done.

Tweyambe noted that Mafabi was not the best example in the party and accused him of overstaying in Parliament.

In a rejoinder, Mafabi insisted that far as the party is concerned the trio were no longer members of the party. "I am the secretary of the party and I am the final man on this matter."

Dr warren noted that the party had delayed expelling the trio noting that they were undermining the party.

Nandala also urged the FDC members and party structures of Rukungiri only to solicit support for FDC candidates.

"Any member of the party who campaigns for an independent candidate or otherwise shall be expelled from the party," Mafabi warned.

He also directed the independent candidates to immediately stop using the FDC sign and colors otherwise the party would advise the electoral commission to disqualify them.

"The entire public is hereby informed that these independent candidates are not members of FDC and have no moral authority to act on behalf of FDC," Mafabi stated.

Turinawe however insisted she would continue using the party colors.

Mafabi noted that as members of FDC they were committed to the struggle to liberate Uganda, "so that we can have a country where everyone is equal."

Turinawe woes started after she lost in the primaries to Dr. Nuwagaba for the party flag bearer for the Rukungiri Municipality seat and claimed she was rigged out.

Babihuga lost the party primaries for woman MP to Muzanira and also decided to contest as an independent candidate.

Rukungiri is regarded as former FDC Presidential aspirant Kizza Besigye's stronghold. It's also his home area.