Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) through their Deputy Spokesperson John Kikonyogo has opened up on allegations of being infiltrated by the head of National Resistance Movement party, Yoweri Kaguta Tiwahaburwa Museveni.
On May 24, the ruling NRM muscled through parliament their choices for Speaker Jacob Oulanyah and his deputy Anita Annet Among with jubilant celebration after beating off stiff challenge from the opposition-backed former speaker Rebecca Kadaga.
Speaking in the immediate aftermath of that victory, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, President Yoweri Museveni revealed that he was on good talking terms with two grand old opposition political parties; the Democratic Party and Uganda People’s Congress.
He said that he has also started talking to some people within the Forum for Democratic Change, FDC, which before the January 14, 2021 general election, was the biggest opposition party in parliament. Museveni added that the only party, which is still elusive, was the Robert Kyagulanyi-led National Unity Platform-NUP, now the biggest opposition party in parliament.
Museveni’s revelation jolted some FDC members who wondered how deep the NRM chairman had infiltrated their party. However, to some insiders, Museveni’s announcement didn’t come as a surprise. According to highly placed sources at the Najjanankumbi-based party, tensions within the party hierarchy have been bubbling for months, triggered largely by allegations that some top-tier officials are clandestinely dealing with President Museveni.
Dr Kizza Besigye, the founding president and four-time presidential candidate, is said to be very unhappy with the way the party is being run. Our sources said that towards this year’s general election, two high-level party officials separately met with President Museveni to discuss the election.
On 2/06/2021 different newspapers published a story which elaborates how Museveni Infiltrated FDC the act which forced the party to come out with a written document as a way of defending the party upon the matter.
‘‘I wish to state that the story is devoid of supported facts, rife with allegations and totally misleading. We therefore would like to put the record straight as follows’’ the document reads.
“The electoral cycle as provided for by the constitution and related electoral laws is well cut out for all political actors as individuals and/or groups/organizations. The FDC which has been in existence for 17 years now has participated in all elections (2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021) from the time of reintroduction of multiparty politics in Uganda. To do this FDC has at all times prepared and participated inspite of all the legal, administrative and military deterrents constructed to undermine the Party’s effective participation, leading to successful elections supported through effective raising of funds.
“Decisions of the party which are binding to all members are made through its organs which include Management Committee (MC), National Executive Committee (NEC), National Council (NC) and the National Delegates Conference (NDC) in order of rising hierarchical importance. It is these organs among other responsibilities that decide on whether the party should participate in any election, what level of elections the party can engage in and the lines of financing that can be adopted.
“I wish to confirm that in the case of the 2021 elections, NEC in its various sittings authorized raising of funds for electioneering purposes through the following channels:
“1. Government funding for political parties under the Political Organizations Act as amended (to the extent the law allows). FDC has made annual returns of all its finances and sources to the Electoral Commission diligently and professionally.
2. Members contribution
3. Candidates contributions
4. Well wishers donations
5. Business community funding
6. Diaspora Chapters donations
7. Credit through institutions and individuals (FDC is credit worthy).
We also accept donations in kind.
“It is our practice not to disclose our funders other than the obviously known government contribution. This is because it is in the best interest of our funders to remain anonymous given the hostile political environment in which we operate. FDC finances and indebtedness are part of the ongoing political discourse at the disposal of public scrutiny as required by law, but we have a responsibility to protect our Well wishers. FDC continues to survive and weather all hostile activities against the party, the leadership, the membership and supporters.
“We therefore want to state categorically that we as a party have not received neither recorded any funds through the source that the Observer would like the public to believe. We are inclined to believe that the Observer newspaper source of information was either inaccurate or malicious or both and challenge the paper to reveal their source of information if for the sole purpose of putting the record straight.
“We are aware of the numerous political battles that we as a party have to fight and hope this is not one of the media onslaughts that we have suffered over the last three years. Enhanced propaganda designed to disparage the Party will not deter, divert and/or achieve its sole purpose of sowing political discord.
“As FDC we uphold transparency as a virtue and will lead the way at all times to practice zero tolerance for corruption in our party.”
John Kikonyogo
FDC Deputy Spokesperson.
Issued at Najjanankumbi, Kampala
3rd June, 2021