Asuman Basalirwa, the President of Justice Forum (JEEMA), has called for an amicable settlement of the existing standoff between sections of leaders of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), one of the opposition political parties.
Recent days have seen FDC boil into turmoil with Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda, the party’s spokesperson, essentially accusing the Secretary General, Nandala Mafabi of failing to account for large sums of money that he claims have their roots in state House.
He claimed that their differences are everything to do with accountability on the part of Nandala and Patrick Oboi Amuriat, the party president.
On the other hand, Nandala has chosen to define the matter as an effort to save FDC from the National Unity Platform (NUP), which is now the biggest opposition political party going by the numbers in Parliament.
He claims Ssemuju and Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, during the last general elections, abandoned FDC candidates and voted for those of NUP.
Now, in a letter to Amuriat, Basalirwa says the rift is unnecessary since it only serves the interests of the NRM and President Museveni.
“As the enemy gleefully takes advantage of the situation, we risk demobilizing and demoralising our troops that have stood with us in all nooks and crannies, cosses, and vexations for the last three decades of the NRM misrule,” says Basalirwa.
“I seek your indulgence to have this matter amicably resolved for the good of the good of the struggle and away from public domain,” he adds.
He says the situation in FDC currently, is a point of concern to all in the opposition because its stability represents stability of the entire opposition given given its record in resisting undemocratic tendencies in the country.
As such, the Bugiri Municipality lawmaker, who describes the exchanges between FDC top brass as unfortunate, says he is ready to lead in mediations to restore normalcy to the once leading opposition political party in Parliament.
“I am cognisant of the internal conflict resolution mechanisms embedded in our respective political organisations, but seek to buttress them by making myself available to offer a mediative role to resolve the impasse,” says Basalirwa.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, FDC party youth leaders said at a press briefing that Amuriat and Nandala have tainted the party image but also lack transparency in their dealings.
The group demanded that the duo resigns from their positions and issue a public apology to party members, further accusing them of tribalism and spreading of propaganda.
