Besigye’s Plea to FDC Founders: Safeguard the Party’s Core Values
In a recent address, Dr. Kiiza Besigye, the former president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, called upon the party’s founders to recall the original purpose of the party and work diligently to prevent its demise. He expressed concern that the current internal discord within the FDC is a result of fear among its members and founders, preventing them from voicing their concerns when the party’s direction goes against their wishes.
Besigye delivered this message during a gathering at the FDC founders’ conference held in Namugongo, Kira Municipality on Monday. It is worth noting that Besigye is associated with the Katonga group, which has distanced itself from the main FDC headquartered in Najjanankumbi, Kampala. The primary point of contention between these groups revolves around allegations of receiving ‘dirty money,’ and the Katonga group has made several attempts to challenge the Najjanankumbi group, led by party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat and secretary general Nandala Mafabi.
According to Besigye, there appears to be a deliberate effort to stifle the political space and intimidate opposition forces.
In response to the internal division, the new FDC leadership extended an olive branch to members who had formed a faction based on Katonga Road in Kampala. John Kikonyogo, speaking as the FDC party spokesperson during a media briefing at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala, stated that the internal conflicts had subsided.
He encouraged the members from the Katonga group to return to Najjanankumbi if they were willing to do so, emphasizing that the leaders at the party’s headquarters were operating within the bounds of the law. Kikonyogo urged them to consider working together to advance the party’s interests instead of engaging in unproductive disputes.
