Opinion: Besigye, you cannot revive the dead…

“We are not starting a new party. We have a party and it’s FDC where I am a member and no one can take that away from me. We the members of FDC have a problem and the problem is that our leadership has been bought. We are moving around the country to tell people about what’s happening at the party and remind them to align with the cause” – Dr. Kizza Besigye (13.05.2024).

The dirty money and the fall-out has created two deep fractions within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). The FDC Najjanankumbi and FDC Katonga Fractions, which Besigye is well aware off. As the FDC HQ has disassociated itself with Katonga and everything it does. Therefore, his answers to the NBS Television is disappointing.

Dr. Kizza Besigye is a maverick, a seasoned politician and a renegade. His a fighter and a resound leader. His not a random bloke or someone you should disregard. He is smart and has wits. A man who is capable of building structures, even in the midst of turmoil and trouble.

Now he says his not building a new party or new structures. When we know the FDC HQ is smearing his name and his work. The leaders of FDC HQ like Amuriat and Nandala-Mafabi won’t recognize or accept this stake. To disconnect itself from Besigye is weakening the party and taking away huge load of support. That’s something Besigye knows, but formally the FDC HQ are now not in the same organization.

Besigye can mobilize and speak in gatherings, but he cannot do that under the banner of the FDC. He isn’t one of them, as the leaders there have sold their souls and traded the party away. That’s something he knows… and we all know it too.

The good doctor cannot save the dying party. It is on its deathbed and his remedies are not welcomed. Besigye will not win this fight over the soul of the FDC. That is already taken from him and his associates. Therefore, Besigye should focus away from the FDC and fight the cause under another banner. He should do so with a new entity and with his fellow cadres…

No one is as powerful and been a voice of reason as Besigye. Nevertheless, at this very time and knowledge of how things transpire. The FDC is a lost cause. It is outsold and lost its purpose. Besigye can fight the same battle for liberation elsewhere. Just like he could incorporate Reform Agenda in the FDC. Therefore, Besigye should move on.

There is no way of saving Besigye… he can speak of wisdom and be sincere in his wishes to save it. However, it is pointless and a lost cause. Especially, when the likes of Amuriat and Nandala-Mafabi are in-charge of the FDC HQ. Peace.

Opinion: Amuriat is a lost cause…

“I can not impose myself to be the leader of Dr. Kizza Besigye but I can speak with authority that, whoever does not believe that I am the leader of the FDC indirectly says they are not members of the FDC. Dr Kizza Besigye can have his own choice of leader but I dare to say he cannot and will never be allowed to impose any leader on the FDC. The leaders of the FDC will also be elected and recognized in the manner as it is stated within the constitution of the FDC” – Patrick Oboi Amuriat (15.04.2024)

We can say that the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is a lost entity. The likes of Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Nathan Nandala-Mafabi have destroyed the legacy and the relief of an opposition party. That’s why Amuriat still targets Besigye and whatever he does…

POA cannot distance himself or even gather enough guts to work in silence. Now that Besigye is relevant and gaining traction again. He see how that affects the FDC and the party that his running. Because, POA and Mafabi has nothing like this within their organization. Besigye is another breed and character, which POA never posses.

The Katonga fraction is now showing its progress and the consultation meetings are gathering people. It is causing a stir and the authorities are even trying to stress it. That shows how it is working and why it matters.

Besigye is a difference of a man and leader. POA is maybe the official Party President of the FDC… but he doesn’t have the heart of the people or the integrity needed as an opposition leader. The manner of which was addressed with the “dirty money” last year. Also the way the he has denounced and distanced the party from Katonga road office. Which means that they shouldn’t be associated anyway.

Amuriat has made his bed and now he has to sleep in it. The FDC is dying and on its death-bed. That’s because Amuriat and his ilk has taken the poison pill. They have to accept the fate… that they have made. This is their own making and now it comes back to bite them in their ass.

Besigye is a force to reckon with… and Amuriat underestimated that. He thought he could just takeover the party and make it his own. That’s what he has done, but he haven’t built anything and not been honest about his craft. Therefore, Besigye legacy is destroyed by the likes of Amuriat.

Besigye deserves better and whatever his Katonga road choses to do. It will be more impactful and powerful than the FDC today. This isn’t the FDC of 2011 or 2016. No, this is a weaker and softer version. This is a cast of people who can be handled and act like the NRM Light. Which is why the NRM isn’t afraid of this FDC.

Besigye’s FDC would have been more frightening… and dangerous… Besigye proves that and we will see more of that in the future. He is a vibrant leader and an honest one at that. Amuriat cannot compete with him and we can all see that. This is why Amuriat still have to reference Besigye and his associates. That’s because… the FDC now is just a lost cause.

Amuriat and his people killed the FDC and now they want to pin it on someone else, they want to be victims and say Besigye did it. When in reality, Amuriat did it all together Mafabi and they will be remembered for what they did. So many risked their lives, died and was arrested for the cause of the FDC. While these two betrayed their sacrifices and Besigye have to continue that fight on the outside of the FDC now.

That’s telling and this is why Amuriat is a lost cause too. Peace.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) – Najanankumbi: Deputy President Moses Byamugisha – Press Statement (11.04.2024)

Opinion: Amuriat will never be as relevant as Besigye

“We are going to take legal actions against this group not because they are running around the country, that’s the right but because they are misusing or abusing the instruments that portray the FDC, they are misusing our flag, our colour, they are abusing our motto, our slogans and going around the country masquerading as the FDC! They are not FDC, in fact, in doing what they are doing they are also violating the FDC’s constitution” – Patrick Oboi Amuriat (08.04.2024).

Just as the Katonga Fraction is mobilizing and holding consultation meetings across the nation. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) – Najjanakumbi fraction is feeling the pinch. As Dr. Kizza Besigye and his allies are showing their popularity. After years of traversing the nation and campaigning. Besigye have a heart and supporters, which will not blindly follow the FDC Headquarters.

This is hurting the pride of Patrick Oboi Amuriat who has already dismissed and disassociated the Katonga fraction from the party. The FDC as we knew it has already settled the score and burned the bridges with Besigye. That’s been done out of petty grievances and lack of accountability on the behalf of the current leadership at Najjanakumbi. This is why Katonga – the Liberation Fraction is hurting and causing envy towards Amuriat or Mafabi for that matter.

Yes, the party colour has been flagged and the logos at time, but the reality is that Besigye is one of the founders of the party. Other leaders beside him is so too. They are people who built the party and was a vital part of it. Therefore, Amuriat is thinking they will leave it behind so suddenly. That’s why Moses Byamugisha even defends the nationwide mobilization and the works of Besigye over the weekend. Because he is smart enough to acknowledge the importance of Besigye. Something Amuriat and his pride never are able too.

Besigye is either on the way of making a pressure group or a new party. He is on the way of Muntu now. Building his own entity and organization. That will be another sibling to the FDC. That will be like the ones who left FDC when Muntu announced the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT). The Third Force and the new beginning for Muntu.

Now the same is awaiting Besigye and it will be even bigger. As Besigye is a bigger character and larger than life. He is the living legend and the freedom fighter of old. A man who has fought for decades and wanted to end the reign of Museveni. A battle that continues to this day and never ceases to end. His mission and voice matters, which hurts Amuriat.

Amuriat never was able to overshadow or able to become as vital as Besigye. Amuriat and Mafabi doesn’t have the character or the spine to do what Besigye does. That’s why they rather sell the party and be a useful puppet. This is how things are looking and Amuriat isn’t amusing. The FDC as we know it is dead and took part of the fatal actions to end it. Therefore, Besigye have to re-start and re-launch his activism.

Besigye will be relevant and continue to be thorn in the eye of the regime. That’s because his relentless… and never gives way to his principles. However, Amuarit is easily swayed and lost his way. That’s why he has to revenge and avenge over the self created character assassination, which he has performed on himself over the last year. That’s why Amuriat should focus on regaining some sort of normalcy… but that seems like a fever dream.

Besigye shouldn’t fear the FDC. The FDC now is a shell of what it used to be. That is the nationwide tour proving and Besigye allies should prepare their own party. They should work on their own and leave the old behind, as the old is betraying what it stood for. Peace.

Opinion: Besigye never left…

“Please stop looking at 2026 but rather ensure that this government is removed. Do you know people who die everyday because of the situation in the country and we wait for 2026?, I want us to look at tomorrow because it is possible” – Dr. Kizza Besigye (04.04.2024).

This isn’t a comeback, but a new wave…

Dr. Kizza Besigye has been underestimated, ridiculed and been said to be a relic of history. His Katonga Road branch has been dismissed by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). This is why his on a nationwide consultation meeting drive. His passing by town after town and holding meetings to hear what they vision for him to do. The FDC Katonga Fraction is surely becoming its own identity and independent from FDC Najjanakumbi.

Now Besigye and his team has traversed to Jinja, Mbarara, Kabale and Rukungiri. He is going across the Republic to gain support and hear the views of leaders of the organization. This is also campaigning for a future entity, which will come sooner or later.

Dr. Kizza Besigye is asked to form a new party. That has been called for since the fallout with Najjanakumbi. That is needed and there are several of MPs who will follow him. The FDC Katonga fraction will be strong and be relevant.

That is proven by the attendance in the cities, the blockage of roads and frustration from the authorities. It is like they trying to prove a point and later allowing the meetings to be held. However, it is a sign that Besigye resurgence aren’t welcomed by the regime. This isn’t shocking, but we can see it coming.

Now one should doubt the heart or the drive of Besigye. In the 2021 General Elections he was in the shadow, but there was others within FDC who became the Presidential Candidate and Besigye was a part of the United Forces for Change (UFC) with the National Unity Platform (NUP). That he was participating in stark contrast to the leadership of Najjanakumbi. Therefore, it is only healthy to see the campaigning now.

Besigye is showing his popularity haven’t died down. Neither is his political capital is gone. That’s why people show up and celebrates his entry into any town. The Police Force is coming and being directly interfering in the public drive around him. The authorities are seeing that Besigye still matters and it is obvious.

The message of Besigye will continue to be important. As he continues to fight the struggle and for the liberation of the nation. He hasn’t let go of this and uses his platform to do just that. Again and again spreading the message. Travelling from town to town giving a word and guidance to do so. However, will it just linger and will people listen… that we can wonder about… because his mission isn’t a solo mission and something he can finish alone. Besigye needs people around him and the public needs to believe in the message his spreading.

This isn’t comeback. Besigye never left. That’s important to notice. His not a political figure or a candidate fighting for a position. His a voice of reason and of the struggle. A fight he has battled for decades and gotten little returns. Besigye have paid the price and we have seen how his been targeted by the authorities. No one has a criminal record like Besigye and spent time behind bars or house arrests for that matter. Therefore, he knows the cost and seen it with his own eyes.

That’s why Besigye is a vital figure and someone that we need to listen too. He will overshadow the FDC and whatever unit or entity that is created by this nationwide process will be significant. As he will be the figure and his message will be resounding within that. This is why he never left, because his not done with the mission.

Besigye won’t leave until he has finished what he started. That’s why you shouldn’t underestimate him or his associates. They will fight until they see proper freedom, liberty and the end of the junta. Peace.

Opinion: The FDC dies from within…

That Nathan Nandala-Mafabi and Patrick Oboi Amuriat doesn’t understand is that the public goodwill is the most valuable asset for any civic organization or political organization can have. This the currency of trust, legitimacy, and accountability regarding its principles and doctrine. However, the current leadership of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has lost all of that over recent time.

These two leaders are killing their own party. They are subjectively ending the legacy of the FDC. All on the altar of their supreme taking. These two took over the party and now they are shredding it too pieces. There is nothing left to salvage.

The FDC will become a fragment of what it was. The ability and the reach of it will become smaller too. The ones hungry for an easy meal will go there, but it won’t be there for the struggle or the cause it was created. That ship has sailed when the current leaders dismissed and dislodged itself from Katonga road.

The truth here is that the party of Defiance are now dying in COMPLIANCE. The party that was built and was a huge benefactor on the side of the opposition. Is now fragmenting itself and damaging itself at high velocity.

There will be nothing left to patch the hurt or even save. The FDC itself will loose all value and become pointless. Just another briefcase party, which used to be strong and powerful…

However, the spoiled, the ones who sought easy money and a grift took over. They let all the history behind and never cared for the existence of the party. That’s why they have downplayed, disregarded and maligned the Katonga road members. Those leaders has been called names and are now said to be “illegal”. That’s what the gist is here.

The leaders of Najjanakumbi forgets one thing. They forget the true reason for why they are there. Not for titles, houses or cars. No, they are there to serve and be a reasonable lot to the public. They are there to challenge the junta and be different. However, now they are coping and copying the junta instead. It is hard to spot the difference between the FDC Najjanakumbi and the NRM in how it works. Only difference is the faces and the logos.

That hurts. It is a pity. That we came this far and this is how things ended. We could have hoped for better, but then again. These men where trusted and they betrayed the cause. They rather wanted to eat, then to serve. That’s the truth. A brutal truth. Peace.

Opinion: The FDC needs a miracle…

Hello?

Hi?

Is it me your looking for?

Nah… I beg to move.

This year has been horrific in regards to the political party of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). The FDC as we know it died during this year. The leadership of Nathan Nandala-Mafabi and Patrick Oboi Amuriat hit the final nail in the coffin. There is little to nothing left of it.

The one time aspiring party and the ones who fought against the dictatorship in Uganda. Was lost and the leadership is rudderless. It is just tragic to see such a powerhouse fail so miserably. The FDC deserved better, but internally it killed itself. A mission that was suicidal and there been points of no return. The leadership even turned against the biggest inspiration and the leader of old, Besigye.

When the FDC leadership turned against Dr. Kizza Besigye. That’s when you know the party was over. It was dusted and left to rot. The party wasn’t what it was and who it seemed to be. No, it had become something else and we couldn’t recognize it.

Time might heal all wounds… but in regards to FDC. The ones leading it now… they should just have the wake and seal its fate. Because, there aren’t much to save.

I cannot see a revival of the party, unless they make real amends with the FDC Katonga branch. The ones part of that is the ones that inspires, the ones that fights and the ones who defies the government. POA knows this, because he came from there and was moulded there. However, he has disconnected from it and disassociated it with the party. That’s why you know there are no bridges to be built.

Unless, there is a will and the FDC leadership gets to its sense. If the FDC leadership see what we all see and accepts its faults. However, POA and Mafabi doesn’t seem like that and they disregard the ones they have called out. Even put several of the members of the other branch into disciplinary hearings and possibly revoke their membership. Meaning throwing them out of the party and render their roles useless.

That’s why we know the current state of the FDC is a quagmire. There is little hope of salvation or redemption. This party is in the grave and needs a biblical miracle to get a second life. It is soon a relic of the past. The ones that built the party and stood by it… should be ashamed of the ones leading it today. Because, they took a party of strength and resilience, and sold it out for a little bit of silver.

It is just insane that we are here. 2023 was a devastating blow to the FDC. 2024 won’t fare much better. Unless, one of the leaders gets a moment of clarity. If doing so… they might have to humble themselves and even step down from their role. However, we know that won’t happen and they won’t face the music. The others have to dance, but they are the DJs deciding the tunes.

This won’t end well. It is already a party that is over and at one point it never seemed to end. Peace.

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago letter to Managing Director of Next Media Group: Protest Against Unprofessional Conduct of the NBS TV Management (12.12.2023)

Opinion: Are the leaders of FDC working on overtime to become irrelevant?

“It’s been a long

A long time comin’, but I know

A change gon’ come

Oh, yes it will” – Sam Cooke ‘A Change Gonna Come’ (December 1964).

The Party of Defiance is Dead. Let us all joy in awe and celebration. Eat the Nsene and get some sodas. If not go to the hot-spots and buy some Rollex. We need to celebrate, because the Party of Defiance has become the Party of Compliance. Let’s celebrate on this joyous occasion.

It is time to marvel in the fact of a loss. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) isn’t what it was or what it intended to be. That’s why we are here and we predicted it’s death. The demise and fatal choice of ceasing relations with FDC Katonga was the nail in the coffin. As the flag-bearers and the ones in high ranking officials disembarked from the struggle, which defined the Party for decades. They even dismissed and disregarded Besigye and his allies at any point of time.

Therefore the recent week of revealing why the FDC MPs shows up the plenary sessions in Parliament comes to no surprise… just read this brief stories and you see…

“FDC party president Patrick Amuriat Oboi has defended the decision of party legislators to attend plenary despite an ongoing boycott by other parties. According to POA, NUP didn’t consult him prior to announcing a walk out” (The Kampala Journal, 21.11.2023).

““We are not populist like NUP. We were voted to legislate for our people. We are not under any pressure to remain in the office of Leader of Opposition,” Nandala Mafabi on why FDC Najjanankumbi shunned Opposition plenary boycott” (The Kampala Journal, 15.11.2023).

The barefoot messiah and his comrades will walk without the courage or the boldness of others. They have signed off on that and showing the signs of being the “Good FDC”. Just like it was “Good DP” and “Bad DP” in the eyes of the President. Surely, this FDC is compromised and feels obligated to show up. They have made a deal and now they have to comply. That’s why they disregard the NUP and such too.

The FDC we are seeing today isn’t the ones that got supporters, created a storm and was a troublemaker for the regime. This one can easily be accessed and ascertained. There is nothing to retain here and nothing of value. Their currency and their actions speaks for themselves.

The FDC of Amuriat and Mafabi is a shell of what it was. These one cannot be genuine or sincere. They have lost that and now they have to act it all out. The FDC with them will loose and become irrelevant. That’s sad to say, but with time this will all wither. We will have the stories and the former glory of the powerhouse, which used to be the FDC. However, in 2023 and beyond… it will be a relic and lost for time.

That’s because of the choices of the leadership. Their greed and short-sighted politics. They are destined to see it all fall apart and they danced on the grave of the party. That’s what they did and this is the result. Peace.

Opinion: Kasumba is putting the cart before the horse in regards to Lord Mayor Lukwago…

“I am yet to see what the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has done to improve Kampala given all the time he has had. I am not saying it is not there. It may be, but someone needs to educate me on what that is, whatever it is. I have even held this conversation with him asking him to dedicate some of his time to the finding and doing of something in Kampala from which it shall be recalled in 200 years later that that was the handiwork of Erias Lukwago as Lord Major” (Samson Kasumba – ‘OPINION: But what has Erias Lukwago really done for Kampala?’ 10.11.2023).

A politicians should be scrutinied and questioned. It is nice to see a text like this NilePost, but they are most about the opposition or opposition leaders. There isn’t the same due diligence or concern about the Ministers or the high ranking officials of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). You could wonder why, right?

However, we already know why, but let me digress. The article’s premiss is flawed, because it gives the apparent idea that the Lord Mayor has power and ability in his office. As if the Lord Mayor of Kampala can make a difference and change. The article acts like Lukwago is a powerful governor or Prince of the City, but his just a figure-head and publicist for the city at this point. That’s by default, by law and by design. It is as if the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) wasn’t made for a purpose and the appointment of a Minister of Kampala didn’t have an effect. An effect that has shielded and made it nearly impossible for the Lord Mayor to succeed or even get wiggle-room in his office. Secondly, speaking of time. In the last term he was impeached unjustifiably so and later had to return. Thirdly, the Lord Mayor has been arrested and house-arrested plenty of times too. That also take away the ability to achieve anything.

Nevertheless, let us go to the basics for a minute…

“11. Functions of Lord Mayor.

(1) The functions of the Lord Mayor are to—

(a) be the political head of the Capital City;

(b) preside over all meetings of the Authority;

(c) perform ceremonial functions and civic functions;

(d) host foreign and local dignitaries;

(e) head the Authority in developing strategies and programmes for the development of the Capital City;

(f) monitor the administration of the Capital City;

(g) provide guidance to the division administrations; and

(h) represent the Capital City on the Metropolitan Authority.

(2) The Lord Mayor shall in the performance of his or her functions, be answerable to the Authority and the Minister.

(3) The Deputy Lord Mayor shall assist the Lord Mayor in the performance of his or her functions and shall otherwise deputise for the Lord Mayor in his or her absence” (KCCA Act, 2010).

When you read these things. It doesn’t make the Lord Mayor powerful or prestigious does it? Well, in my regards, it make him a glorified councillor, but not a man with a mandate to make a difference. That is more for the appointed leadership within the KCCA and especially the KCCA Executive Director,

Just read this one here:

“19. Functions of executive director.

The functions of the executive director shall include the following—

(a) to be the head of the public service in the Authority and to head the administration of the Authority, including divisions and wards;

(b) to be the accounting officer of the Authority;

(c) to be responsible for the management of all public funds of the Authority and accountable to Parliament;

(d) be responsible for coordination and implementation of national and council policies, laws, regulations, byelaws, programmes and projects;

(e) advise the mayor and Authority on Government policy;

(f) present the annual budget to the Authority;

(g) advise the Authority on technical, administrative and legal matters pertaining to the management of the Authority;

(h) implement lawful decisions taken by the Authority;

(i) oversee the delivery of quality services to the population within the Capital City and take remedial action where service delivery standards are below the expected minimum standards;

(j) ensure proper physical planning and development control in the urban councils;

(k) monitor and coordinate the activities of the directorates of the Authority and of the lower Authority;

(l) be the custodian of all the assets and records of the Authority;

(m) attend meetings of the metropolitan Authority;

(n) supervise and evaluate staff performance;

(o) liaise with the central Government and other institutions on behalf of the Authority;

(p) conduct the public relations of the Authority;

(q) promote trade order;

(r) mobilise the urban community for development and sustainability of infrastructure and services;

(s) be responsible for the enforcement of ordinances and byelaws made by the Authority and its lower council units;

(t) be responsible to the Authority, subject to the general directions of the Minister;

(u) on day-to-day operations, be responsible to the Authority; and

(v) make reports to the council and the Minister on the state of affairs of the Capital City at least once a year or as the Minister or the Authority may determine;

to perform any other duties assigned by the Authority or the Minister” (KCCA Act, 2010).

This here sounds like the person should address and the ones with real power. That’s the intension of the creation of the KCCA to clip the wings of the Lord Mayor and it has done so too. That’s why the most prominent leader in the hierarchy of Kampala is sort of the Executive Director of the KCCA. Just read the functions of the Executive versus the Mayor and you get the gist.

That’s why it’s rich to read a paragraph like this in the article…

“Erias Lukwago run for that office to serve us residents of the capital. If you knew that it is near impossible to deliver services under this NRM government, why did you run for an office from which we expect services? There seems to be a line of dishonesty here. I am not sure that the primary task of a Lord Major is to effect change of Government. His job is to deliver services to the city dwellers. Has he done that? If he has not, must we not bring him to task? If and when we don’t bring him to task. then have we taken our citizen responsibility seriously?” (Kasumba, 10.11. 2023).

The KCCA Act didn’t eradicate or take away the role or office of Lord Mayor, but it did take away it’s mandate and partly its reason for existing. It is a duplication and done so because the NRM cannot get their flag-bearers to win an election. They know this and the President too. That’s why they have made this law and amended it too. Just to ensure that the NRM get to have oversight and have some sort of control of the city. Even if the City elects the opposition and leaders in defiance of the NRM.

Yes, Lukwago should be able to bring services to the people, but in this case. The calls should be at the Executive Director and her “council” or “authority”, as they are bearing the blunt of the mandate and the Lord Mayor is there for the festivities.

So please, get a grip and until laws are either amended or removed. Until that happens and the law is still active. That sets the boundaries, the mandate and options, which the Lord Mayor has in his office. Therefore, let us adjourn and get some chai, aye? Peace.