The Katonga faction of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party is contemplating a proposal to register a new political party, as outlined in a report by interim Party President, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
This proposal, if accepted, would result in a formal separation between the faction led by Dr. Kizza Besigye and the faction led by Patrick Amuriat, known as the Najanankumbi faction. This potential new party would be the second to emerge from disagreements within the once-largest opposition party.
In 2019, former FDC president, Retired Gen. Gregory Mugisha Muntu, founded the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) after parting ways with the FDC. Lukwago presented the report during a National Council meeting held at Col. Kizza Besigye’s office on Katonga Road. He informed the attendees that during routine National Executive Committee meetings, some members suggested considering adopting a new identity and advancing the vision of building a new Uganda with fresh institutions.
Lukwago stated, “A section of members have mooted a rather novel proposal that since the vision, heart, and soul of members of the party resides here at Katonga, the bonafide members who are still committed to the struggle to push back against the junta should consider getting a new brand and move on with the vision of building a new Uganda with new institutions. This would essentially entail having a new political formation.”
He also mentioned calls for reconciliation from the Najanankumbi-based faction, stating, “As NEC, we have been categorical in our response that for this proposal to be considered, the imposters must denounce their nefarious conduct and scandals, which include the coup they are perpetrating, the chaos and mayhem they have caused at Najanankumbi, and apologize for the public odium they have invited to the party. They must stop holding out as leaders of the party and vacate Najanankumbi. If they are to be retained as members of the party, they have to go through a cleansing and exorcising process.”
- Dr. Kizza Besigye emphasized the importance of focusing on the main goal, which is working towards the country’s sovereignty, a goal yet to be fully realized since Independence. He suggested that before taking any action, national council members should engage with grassroots members to explain the events following the conflicts at the Najanakumbi office. He urged the council to combat emerging propaganda, stating, “You have been hearing that we want to sell FDC to NUP, why would we do that? How immune is NUP from becoming FDC? You think what ate FDC cannot eat NUP? It can or ANT or the other parties, so we must guard against the propaganda, especially you people from the district.”
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