The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has said that it’s okay with members of the Katonga faction carrying out consultations about their future in the FDC party as long as they do it without trying to pull down the FDC main party.
While speaking to members of the press on April 8, 2024, at the party headquarters at Najjanankumbi in Kampala, the party Spokesperson, John Kikonyogo, said that, as a party, they can’t stop anyone from consulting with their supporters about their future in the party.
“The Reform Agenda, which later became FDC, was made from consultations 20 years ago, and here we are now; so consultation is healthy and we are okay with it,” Kikonyogo said.
Kikonyogo gave the example of General Mugisha Muntu, who disagreed with the FDC’s top leaders and went ahead to form his own political party.
“General Mugisha Muntu disagreed with the FDC leadership, and he asked if he could go and consult his supporters. After he came back and informed the then-party President Patrick Amuriat, he shared with him a report and requested to leave in peace, and he left the party. If other members are consulting to leave the party, then let them do it without bringing FDC down,” Kikonyogo noted.
He, however, emphasized that, as FDC, they are willing to welcome back their Katonga colleagues and have them in the party.
“For us, we are still willing to talk to those who are willing to talk to us and come back, and we shall slaughter a big bull and celebrate their return home; this is their home, and they are always welcome,” Kikonyogo added.
The remarks came after the FDC Katonga faction led by Dr. Kizza Besigye embarked on a consultation campaign across the country, starting with western Uganda at the beginning of April, where they visited districts like Kabale, Mbarara, Rukungiri, Bushenyi, and Kasese.
To many Ugandans, Besigye’s consultation could mean that he is planning to form another political party as the Katonga faction has failed to reconcile with the party leadership at Najjanankumbi, creating two parallel groups within the once strong and treasured opposition political party in the country.
