FDC Turmoil: Party Foils Press Briefing By National Chairman Biriggwa, Journalists battered Outside Party Office

Chaos has marred the offices of opposition party Forum Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), on Thursday as the National Chairman Wasswa Biriggwa was blocked from addressing journalists at the party’s head offices in Najjanankumbi.

Journalists pitched camp outside the offices but were attacked by unscrupulous individuals who stormed out of the party offices in the afternoon and pounced on them, injuring some people and allegedly hijacking their properties.

It all started when Biriggwa arrived at the offices at about 11:00 am to brief journalists on matters related to forthcoming elections, however, he was only allowed to access the premises while journalists and other party members were denied entry, under unclear circumstances.

According to journalists, Biriggwa was ushered into the offices for a meeting and later locked inside with no communication. Journalists remained outside curious of what was going on until they were attacked and sent away.

Biriggwa suspended the elections on July 14 following allegations of illegal financial transactions as alleged by the Party’s Spokesperson Ibrahim Semujju Nganda and Erias Lukwago.  The duo alongside former party president Kiiza Besigye accuse the party President Amuriat Oboi and Secretary-General, Nathan Nandala Mafabi of being behind the alleged illegal dealings.

They allege that the two received 7 billion shillings allegedly from the NRM gov’t sources to fund the 2021 presidential elections in which Amuriat was a candidate. This they say has compromised the integrity of the party and sold them to the regime.

While addressing journalists on Wednesday, Amuriat stated that the National Chairman does not have the authority to suspend party elections. He made it clear that elections will happen as scheduled as their constitution dictates.

The suspension of the party elections, which were originally scheduled for July 21, 2023, has led to internal conflicts within the party.

The National Council of the party has since established a committee to investigate the allegations and present a report during their sitting on July 28, 2023.

However, Semujju and other party members want the elections postponed until the money issue is resolved and a report is produced.

On Wednesday, the government, through the Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi dismissed allegations of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) interference aiding the 2021 elections .

Baryomunsi said:  “The NRM government believes in a functioning democracy and the democratic space we have provided allows political parties to emerge, grow and function. It cannot be the same NRM or President Yoweri Museveni to wish the collapse or the demise of other political parties,” Baryomunsi said.