The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party National Chairperson during the 17th National Council Meeting themed, Overcoming the Storm, Focusing on Unity and Party Growth that was held at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi on December 15, 2023, asked the Katonga faction to return home and build the party.
In his speech, the FDC National Chairperson, Jack Sabiiti said that, the National Council meeting marks the beginning of a new chapter and another significant step towards the party’s goal of achieving democracy, good governance, and the socioeconomic development of Uganda.
During his remarks, the Chairperson expressed his personal concern for the persistent fighting, rule-breaking, and disrespect towards court decisions by the senior colleagues in the party who are supposed to set a good example to the rest of the party members.
“My appeal to them is to calm down and get back to the rails of the party. These are our brothers and sisters and we are bound to forgive them just like the prodigal son was forgiven by his father when he came back home. We are human beings, and we disagree which is healthy. If the mistake was ours, we shall apologize and if the mistake was theirs, they should also be able to apologize and the party moves forward,” Sabiiti said.
Sabiiti said that, people who are writing FDC out of the political race for government in Uganda should think again because it is one of the most powerful political parties in the country, adding that, they will celebrate its 19th anniversary on December 16, 2023.
“To those passing judgment on FDC basing on the basis of the few disagreements in the party should make no mistake as I have confidence that the party will roar above pettiness and thrive to become stronger,” he added.
The Katonga Faction, led by Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, and Erias Lukwago, accused their party leaders at the time, namely the party President, Engineer Patrick Amuriat Oboi, and the party Secretary General, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, of receiving “dirty money” from President Museveni, which sparked the FDC faction splitting in July 2023.
