Founding Members Approve FDC Katonga Faction’s Mobilization Plans

A group of founding members of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) showed their support for the Katonga faction led by Mr. Erias Lukwago, the Kampala Lord Mayor. This support comes with approval for the faction’s planned activities. The founding members, who gathered during a consultative meeting organized by the Katonga faction in Namugongo, expressed disappointment in the current state of the FDC but voiced their approval of the Katonga team’s outlined roadmap.

One of the Bugisu region’s elder members, Mr. Habib Wabende, remarked that the FDC was initially formed as an alternative to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, but internal strife within the party has veered it off this original purpose.

Wabende went on to mention that party supporters are currently divided due to conflicting accounts reported in the media. He declared the readiness of the founding members to cooperate with the interim leadership, aiming to clarify the situation to the public and to rectify any misinformation present in the media.

Mr. Maate Santo, an elder from Kasese, encouraged the Katonga team to remain focused on their goal, which is to continue their nationwide mobilization efforts, aiming to attract more individuals to the party.

Following the consultative meeting, various resolutions were made. These included the pursuit of legal action against the Najjanankumbi team, the initiation of nationwide mobilization campaigns, and the conducting of grassroots elections within the party.

Ms. Salaam Musumba, the acting vice chairperson, revealed that party officials will commence their nationwide mobilization efforts in the coming week, starting in Busoga Sub-region and subsequently covering the entire country in preparation for the faction’s grassroots elections in January.

Ms. Musumba emphasized the purpose of this campaign, stating, “We are going to start nationwide outreach [exercise] to tell the country and our party supporters what happened. We shall also listen to what our supporters want to tell us.” She added, “After those meetings, we expect them to draw the line, most especially on where they belong. The elders and founder members are satisfied with what we are doing, and we are on the same page with them.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Musumba confirmed that they do not intend to seek permission from the police for their activities, citing their peaceful meeting in Namugongo as evidence that future meetings will also proceed without disruption.

The key members of the Katonga faction include Erias Lukwago as the interim president, Harold Kaija as the interim secretary-general, Francis Mwijukye as the interim treasurer, Ibrahim Semujju Nganda as the acting spokesperson, Dr. Kizza Besigye as the founding party president and former presidential candidate, Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa as the former national chairman, and Salaam Musumba as the acting vice chairperson.

Key Members of the Katonga Faction