Basalirwa open hands to mediate between warring factions in FDC

By Francis Lubega

26^th July 2023

The Opposition Justice Forum (JEEMA party president Asuman Basalirwa has written to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leadership seeking an appointment to mediate the worrying groups within the leadership.

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 the FDC party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat, Basalirwa says the current confusion in opposition political parties destabilizes their mission of rescuing this country from undemocratic rule.

He says that the rift only serves the interests of the NRM and President Museveni.

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 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.

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 resign from their positions and issue a public apology to party members, further accusing them of tribalism and spreading propaganda.