The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has officially severed ties with the People’s Government, a body previously spearheaded by former party president Dr. Kizza Besigye, stationed at Katonga Road in Kampala.
Initially formed as a resistance group by Dr. Kizza Besigye in collaboration with FDC following his loss in the 2016 presidential elections, the People’s Government served as a means of defiance against the governing authority.
The decision to discontinue cooperation came after the FDC’s National Executive Committee encountered a series of complexities and opposition while managing the dual centers of power. This struggle led to numerous internal conflicts within the party, escalating since 2018, resulting in irreconcilable differences and detrimental propaganda from members aligned with the People’s Government.
In a press conference on Monday, FDC’s party president, Eng Patrick Oboi Amuriat, revealed that internal conflicts, accusations, and counter-accusations had significantly disrupted their unity, consequently tarnishing the party’s image in the media.
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Amuriat highlighted that certain FDC members had taken a confrontational stance against the party, violating Article 12 of the party’s constitution. He cautioned those individuals who were asserting themselves as legitimate leaders of the FDC, warning them against wrongfully using party materials, symbols, slogans, and colors. Amuriat emphasized the readiness of the party to take disciplinary action against such members through a properly constituted disciplinary committee, urging them to desist from representing themselves as FDC leaders.
He called upon FDC members to reject those individuals who were masquerading as interim or factional leaders, aiming to sow division within the party for personal gain. Amuriat reinforced the stance that there were no actual divisions within the FDC, dismissing the portrayal of factions such as the “Katonga faction” or “Najjanankumbi faction,” asserting that there exists only one legitimate FDC.
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However, in line with the party’s constitution, particularly Chapter 8 (e) concerning conflict resolution through peaceful means, the FDC extended an olive branch to members claiming leadership roles. This gesture, though, is limited to those holding corporate or life membership cards, along with updated memberships, based on mutual respect and honesty without resorting to insults.
Amuriat clarified that FDC members whose memberships expired annually and were yet to renew by registering in village registers could only be considered supporters or sympathizers, not official members. This distinction allows them the liberty to choose whether to regain their membership within the party or remain as sympathizers.
