By Olivia Nabaggala
25th Sept 2023
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction has rushed to court to stop next week’s delegates’ conference that was called by the party Electoral Commission chairman Boniface Toterebuka Bamweda.
In a suit filed at the High Court in Kampala on Monday, the 23 National Executive Committee (NEC) members headed by Salaam Musumba, the party vice chairman for Eastern region the party contend that Toterebuka who is the sole respondent in the case is acting illegally by convening the October 6th, 2023 meeting.
They therefore want the court to issue a declaration that Toterebuka’s actions of holding the position of chief electoral commissioner of FDC and purporting to conduct internal elections for the leadership of the structures of the party are contrary to the constitution of the party and therefore, unlawful, and illegal.
The leaders also want the court to issue a permanent injunction restraining Toterebuka his agents, servants, and or employees, and anyone acting under him from further holding and presiding over the internal elections for the leadership of the structures of the FDC and also convening the National Delegates conference.
The leaders argue that the last party delegates’ conference that convened in 2017 appointed Yusuf Nsibambi as the head of the Electoral Commission and he has never formally stepped down from the position and Toterebuka assumed the same without going through the formal constitutional processes or having any instrument or resolution passed by the national delegates’ conference.
They say the actions amount to usurping the powers of the party Chairperson enshrined in the constitution of FDC and the same actions contravene the Democratic principles required of a political party under the constitution of Uganda and the provisions of the Political Parties and Organizations Act.
Other than Salaam Musumba, the applicants include; Betty Aol, Denis Onekalit Amere, Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda, Roland Kaginda, Francis Mwijukye, Doreen Nyanjura, Mubarak Munyagwa, Harold Kaija, Michael Kabaziguruka, Atkins Katusabe, Harold Muhindo, Asinansi Nyakato, Samuel Makhoja, Dominic Wakabi, George Ekwaro, Nicholas Kamara, Amon Rubarema, Hajji Obedi Kamulegeya, Plan Virginia Mugenyi, Moses Tugume and Kennedy Okello.
FDC descended into chaos after a section of the party accused the president and Secretary General of picking money from President Museveni that was used during the 2021 general elections.
They called upon the two leaders to step down to allow for the election of new leaders; a demand that was flatly rejected.
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