Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supporters have engaged in a heated exchange with party chairperson Jack Sabiiti. The focal point of contention revolves around Sabiiti’s persistent accusations against former FDC president Dr. Col. (rtd) Kiiza Besigye, who leads the breakaway faction known as Katonga.
During a fresh grassroots mobilisation tour in Kabale, Kanungu, Rukungiri, and Kisoro, FDC national leaders, including Sabiiti and Western region vice-president Robert Centenary, faced resistance from old FDC leaders at the district level. These districts, among the 20 in Western Uganda, did not participate in the last year’s FDC delegates conference.
In a closed-door meeting at Kings Hotel in Kabale town, Sabiiti expressed disappointment at Kigezi leaders who boycotted the elections organized last year. He accused Besigye of undermining FDC, fostering chaos, and creating divisions within the party. Sabiiti went further to allege that Besigye intended to endorse NUP leader Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi or even support his wife, Eng. Winnie Byanyima, in the 2026 general election.
However, old leaders in Kigezi contested Sabiiti’s claims, questioning the legitimacy of the new leaders’ selection process. Central division councillor Leopold Twesigye demanded clarification on why Sabiiti and Centenary were constituting a new leadership mandate irregularly.
General Secretary FDC Kabale branch Richard Muhanguzi grilled Sabiiti for siding with President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM, raising concerns about the receipt of over sh7b ‘dirty money’ during the 2021 general election. Muhanguzi argued that the selection of new leaders without a delegates’ conference, called by Wasswa Birigwa, former party chairperson, was unconstitutional.
In Kanungu, Sabiiti and Centenary faced opposition from FDC old leaders who questioned their authority to constitute a new leadership formation without being elected according to the FDC constitution. FDC Kanungu mayoral aspirant John Vian Mugisha highlighted concerns about Sabiiti’s role, questioning if he was acting as a genuine party leader or merely a supporter.
Aloysious Mugarura, the FDC treasurer of Rukungiri, accused Sabiiti and the Najjanankumbi leadership of violating the FDC constitution and selling the party to Museveni. Despite supporting opposition coalition efforts, Centenary emphasized FDC’s commitment to grassroots mobilisation, aiming to prevent conflicts among top leaders from hindering the party’s goals.
The FDC has been grappling with internal conflicts since November 2023, with accusations of financial impropriety and divisions between the Katonga group and the Najjanankumbi group.
| Event | Location |
|---|---|
| Grilled Meeting in Kabale | Kings Hotel, Kabale town |
| Opposition in Kanungu | Unspecified location in Kanungu |
| Old Leaders’ Concerns in Kigezi | Various radio stations in Kigezi |
| Sabiiti and Centenary’s Defense in Kanungu | Unspecified location in Kanungu |
| Centenary’s Emphasis on Grassroots | Throughout the districts of Kabale, Kanungu, Rukungiri, Kisoro |
