There is a private discussion happening within Dr. Kizza Besigye’s Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga Faction. They are considering three potential options for their political future: acquiring an existing political party, creating a new one, or aligning with Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP).
Mubrak Munyagwa, the former legislator of Kawempe South and a member of Dr. Besigye’s people’s government, intends to propose a debate within their National Executive Committee (NEC) to decide their next steps. He believes that continuing to fight for FDC is no longer productive and distracts them from their main goal, which is challenging President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government.
Munyagwa pointed out a setback they faced when a court ruling favored their political rivals at Najjanankumbi. This ruling allowed their opponents to hold a national delegates conference where Patrick Amuriat Oboi and Nathan Nandala Mafabi were re-elected as party president and Secretary General, respectively. Munyagwa, who is a lawyer, stressed that they should handle this ruling politically instead of pursuing appeals and continuing their battle for FDC.
He suggested that FDC might meet a similar fate as the Democratic Party (DP), which Norbert Mao and others delivered to President Museveni. Munyagwa proposed that they should look for a smaller political party to acquire, similar to what Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) did with Moses Kibalama’s National Unity, Reconciliation, and Development Party, which was rebranded as the National Unity Platform (NUP).
However, Munyagwa ruled out the possibility of the Katonga faction joining Bobi Wine’s NUP, citing concerns about its leadership and decision-making process, which is led by the Fire Base Crew, a music organization founded by Bobi Wine before his entry into politics.
Munyagwa may face opposition from Dr. Besigye, who believes that political parties cannot bring about change in Uganda and advocates for political activism.
Erias Lukwago, the interim president of the FDC Katonga faction and the Kampala Lord Mayor, announced plans for a nationwide tour to update their supporters on their future political direction and encourage participation in upcoming village elections. Despite setbacks from Justice Ssekaana’s ruling, their faction continues to pursue legal avenues to counter their adversaries in Najjanankumbi.
Dr. Besigye, their supreme leader, is currently in the United States of America, engaging in private discussions with political donors and members of the diaspora community. There are allegations that he is seeking support for a joint political effort with Bobi Wine against Museveni’s government.
