Kizza Besigye Allegedly Plans To Form A New Political Party
Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Dr Kizza Besigye, appears to have lost hope of reclaiming leadership within the party he founded, post a contentious split last year, fueled by allegations of financial dealings with President Yoweri Museveni. The current FDC president, Patrick Amuriat, and secretary-general Nandala Mafabi faced accusations of accepting money, creating a schism that remains unresolved.
Despite denials and a lack of clarity on campaign funding sources during the 2021 elections, the Besigye-led splinter group contemplates establishing a new political entity, as discussed in a meeting on February 21. Dr Besigye, once a confidant of President Museveni, now encounters formidable challenges within the party he played a pivotal role in shaping.
Reconciliation prospects dim as stringent conditions demand Amuriat and Mafabi’s departure from office, while the opposing faction urges an apology and reintegration – an impasse unlikely to be breached. The National Electoral Commission’s annual allocation of Ush2 billion ($511,000) to FDC remains unaffected, emphasizing their recognition as a political entity, irrespective of internal conflicts.
Acting party president Erias Lukwago outlines the need for the Amuriat faction to disavow alleged misconduct, including disruptive incidents at the party headquarters. The standoff intensifies, with Lukwago hinting at a potential rebranding during National Executive Committee meetings, proposing the creation of a new political formation rooted in the struggle against the current regime.
The call for consultations delays a definitive decision on the formation of a new party by Besigye’s group, although former party spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda’s departure signals the growing disillusionment within. Nganda cites government support for the rival faction as a deterrent to reconciliation, expressing a desire to focus on broader efforts to rescue Uganda.
Besigye emphasizes the necessity of grassroots engagement to clarify the factional split, contemplating either a rebrand or the establishment of a new party – a process deemed resource-intensive and time-consuming by some members. President Museveni, operating outside traditional party structures, leverages support among the youth, as evidenced by the launch of the Patriotic League of Uganda, positioning Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
With elections looming, Gen Muhoozi’s potential candidacy remains uncertain, despite the Patriotic League’s formation. Political maneuvering and allegations of selling parties to rivals persist, with hints at pressure groups or social movements challenging conventional electoral participation.
Dr Besigye’s historical departure from NRM in 1999, forming the Reform Agenda, mirrors the current dynamics, raising questions about the evolving political landscape and the challenges President Museveni faces as he quietly mobilizes support.
As elections approach, the focus shifts from whether Museveni will contest to when he will make the formal announcement, amidst calls for a peaceful transition by Justice Minister Norbert Mao, leader of the Democratic Party. President Museveni, however, denies any discussions regarding a transition.