The police have rejected a request to provide security during the delegate conference convened by the opposition Forum for Democratic Change party.
This stemmed from a request to the Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola, by the FDC national chairman, Amb. Wasswa Bigiriwa.
In response, IGP Okoth Ochola said the Uganda Police Force (UPF) will not provide security for the Extraordinary Delegates Conference until there is harmony in the party.
He instead advised the warring factions, including the Katonga and Najjanakumbi groups, to embrace reconciliation or seek resolution through the courts of law in order to avoid an open conflict and clashes in the future.
According to Okoth Ochola, the police also received another communication from the Secretary General of FDC on September 12, 2023, denying any knowledge of the meeting.
He said the decision to reject offering security followed another communication from the Najjanankumbi faction.
“This is also to inform you that the Uganda Police Force is equally in receipt of another communication from the Secretary General of FDC Ref FDC 1.84/IGP/03/09/2023, denying any knowledge of such a meeting and complaining,” said IGP Ochola in his letter.
Nandala Mafabi, in his letter to IGP Ochola, claimed that if the meeting were to take place, it would be in direct contravention of the party constitution, an illegality, and well likely to cause confusion and chaos amongst the population.
In a satirical reaction, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago wondered why the police have turned down the request to provide security, yet the same force is ready to disrupt the meeting.
“Mbu is not ready to provide security for our Extraordinary Delegates Conference on such spurious grounds, but is obviously prepared to unleash terror and block the conference! Banana Republic!” said Lukwago.
The FDC party’s top leaders are currently embroiled in a bitter fight that erupted over what they branded dirty money’ that was apparently given to the party’s SG Mafabi during the 2021 elections.
