Opinion: The FDC is missing Katonga as we speak

“We have been approached by a number of our former members expressing a desire to return to the party and actively participate in the party activities including mobilization towards the forthcoming elections. The FDC Constitution in article 12 gives opportunity to any returning member to do so within the requirements of the Constitution. I am therefore on behalf of top management inviting all our former members to feel free and return home to their party. To facilitate this exercise, NEC will set up a reception desk at every district for purposes of coordinating return of our former members” – Patrick Oboi Amuriat (15.01.2025).

Today its official that the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) feels the aftermath of making Dr. Kizza Besigye a “Person Non-Grata” and disassociate itself with the Katonga Headquarters. Therefore, the costs of leaving Katonga is hurting Najjanakumbi hard now. They are finally seeing the light, but now its too late.

The ones surrounding Besigye and are his allies are re-configurating itself as the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). They aren’t returning to the FDC or being part of the predecessor now. The ones that leave only does so for a meal-ticket and not out of political dogma.

Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Nathan Nandala Mafabi cannot carry this. They have destroyed the party and done so out of spite. These two has made the decisions and now they don’t have the support of the die hard supporters of Besigye. These leaders should have seen this one coming. As they disconnected themselves from the most vital and important voice of the FDC history.

The FDC can ask former Members to return. Nevertheless, the ones who went to Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and now the PFF are now gone. These have given up on the leaders of Najjanakumbi. That is all within reason and anyone can understand that.

The disservice the Najjanakumbi have done to itself and it cannot revive the past. Neither can it ask for people just to return and forgive. They made it here and now they have to live with it. The leaders are to blame and they know they lost relevance. They know the party is severely damaged, but they did it all out of self-interests. Therefore, they are in for a shocker later on.

Especially, the day the PFF is up and running. The day PFF and Besigye is campaigning. That’s when the true realities will sting and the FDC will feel the pinch. As they have lost allies of Besigye and before from Muntu. All of these are wounds that are open and there been no resolve.

That’s why the plea will fall on deaf ears. Who wants to listen to self serving leaders who only cares for themselves? These leaders aren’t fighting for the cause or for the betterment. No, this is just their launching pad and their offices to ensure their livelihoods. That’s it and nothing else bothers them.

The FDC must wait for another handout, so it can be used as a tool against the NUP and possibly Besigye. Peace.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)/People’s Front for Freedom (PFF): New Year (2025) Message delivered by Erias Lukwago (06.01.2025)

Pan-African Opposition Leaders Solidarity Network: Abduction of Dr Kizza Besigye from Nairobi on the Night of Saturday the 16th November 2024 (20.11.2024)

Dr. Kizza Besigye facing the Court Martial at Makindye Military Barracks as a civilian…

“Dr Kizza Besigye and another FDC Katonga faction member, Obeid Rutale, have rejected being tried in Makindye miliary court martial citing the fact that they are civilians. “I have never joined forces or been a scout for me to be tried in a miliary court,” Rutale said” (97.5 Messiah Radio, 20.11.2024).

“Dr Kizza Besigye has been taken to Makindye Military Court. Besigye was abducted from Nairobi, Kenya, last week and forcibly returned to Uganda” (NTV Uganda, 20.11.2024).

“Veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye is appearing at the General Court Martial in Makindye, Kampala days after he was reported missing in Nairobi where he had travelled to attend a book launch of former Kenya’s Justice Minister, Martha Karua. He’s appearing in the dock alongside ‘his comrade’ Hajj Lutale Kamulegeya on yet to be known charges. Court proceedings have been adjourned for 15 minutes after Dr Besigye said he has no lawyer given that he wasn’t able to contact anyone since he has been in detention” (Daily Monitor, 20.11.2024).

If you ever wondered how despicable the authorities are and how they operates in regards to its dissidents. Just follow how they react and go after Dr. Kizza Besigye. It is new that they are apprehending him and allowed to kidnap him in Kenya. Meanwhile taking him into custody and days later arraign him in a Military Court.

That’s what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is doing. They have all the ploys and all their guards up. They are treating him as if he planned a treasonous act and planned to topple the government by force. That’s how this looks like…

The nemesis of the President and his fellow comrades. The man who has faced the law more than any other. Who has been charged with everything between the moons, the stars and whatever that underneath the soil. They will be claiming he was found with arms or planned to purchase arms to topple the government. That’s how they will play it, but he was there for a book launch and not to plan a coup d’etat.

Nevertheless, we know how this will play out. The state has arrested him and will start the discovery and finding whoever they can deem fit as witnesses. They will prolong the agony, as they now have within their midst and can stifle his every move. It is just convenient, as him and others were starting to launch their own party and be out of the FDC quagmire.

This saga is far from over and only the beginning. It is sinister and dark when it is done like this. The manner of which the state produced him and how they are now pinning crimes on him. Just like it has done before. If they charge him with “treason” it wouldn’t be the first time or the last. Now they cannot use other penal codes or laws to take him down. We can just wonder how they will prove the conspiracy, collect evidence and have witnesses. Because that will take forever, and the reality is that it would be all made-up.

Besigye is yet again losing his freedom, liberty and rights as a civilian. His losing his ability to work and be a citizen. Instead, his again a felon and a criminal until proven innocent. Not the other way around. Where you are innocent until your proven guilty. Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye is missing

Two days without a word. Reports from Uganda Radio Network (URN) and Daily Monitor is resounding. The firebrand politician and maverick is now gone in the wind.

Two days since last spotted in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Kizza Besigye is now missing. That is concerning and worrying. It is very very unfortunate and worrying.

That someone like his is gone and haven’t communicated. Someone who speaks out and are a voice of reason. A man who is known for his resolve and his skills of building political platforms. Therefore, it is extra strange that his just leaving without a trace.

Unless, someone acknowledge where is and in what condition. The speculations will go haywire. There will be lost in the sauce. It is too many things that could appear and abductions on behalf of the Ugandan government have already happened in Kenya during Ruto’s term. So, to do this wouldn’t be out of the ordinary either. As other Ugandan civilians was kidnapped and later detained in Uganda. Therefore those sorts of things could happen to Besigye too.

Meanwhile at this current time. We know nothing. We haven’t a word. We haven’t a signal or even a little token. We got nothing. His communication channels are off or closed off. That seems deliberate, as he knows how to be shadowed and be spied upon. Therefore, this isn’t adding up…

It could be something sinister going on. A deliberate scheme, but it is no good to think of that or even consider it. Alas, we know nothing and haven’t heard a thing. Only last seen on Saturday and now it’s Monday ticking into Tuesday. That would be three days without a noise or a reassuring thunder from the man.

I cannot speculate now, but unless there is official words from someone close to him. Part of the Katonga Branch or the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) or cadres who has been associated with him for years. We need someone to vouch for him.

This freedom fighter and man of will for the betterment of the Republic of Uganda needs to heard from again. It is just frightening to know that it has been that many hours without ordinary activity or even public utterance from Besigye.

We need to hear from Besigye and a report of his well-being. This is dangerous and I only hope everything is well with the man. As his a hero and a living legend. One of kind and there isn’t many who has fought as long and haven’t seen his dreams come into fruition. Peace.

Opinion: Are the public ready for the PFF?

“The Katonga-based FDC faction has launched a new political movement called the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). The party has chosen a phone as its symbol and adopted the slogan “Freedom for All and All for Freedom.” The PFF, which is backed by 12 promoters, has selected royal blue and white as its official colors” (91.2 Crooze FM, 27.08.2024).

It is now official that the Katonga Road outcast from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has now become the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). This means the allies of Dr. Kizza Besigye has a new party that is based in Katonga Road. The former powerhouse and place of inspiration outside of the FDC HQ has now become its own entity. That’s a failure of the FDC leadership and everyone in-charge there.

This has massive implications and will severely damage the FDC in the long run. The original splinter fraction of Gen. Mugisha Muntu. It will now be even felt more harder, as the crowd of defiance and the ones who is associates with Besigye will now leave the FDC. They are now imprinting their own movement and party.

Muntu started his own “new formation” that became the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT). Now Besigye has the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). ANT and PFF is parties that was formed out of necessity and the lack of place within the FDC. Therefore, the FDC is disembarking and isn’t the big body for a larger opposition.

“Freedom for All – All for Freedom” is the slogan of the PFF. That is a message and shows where they are turning. They are becoming White and Royal Blue. So, the colour scheme is in continuation of the FDC with the blue. The white is the difference here, but that’s the tradition and where the party came out from. This is a “child” of the parent.

Besigye and his allies will continue with their programs, vision and ensure the continuation of the peaceful liberation that so many has fought over. There is a lot of blood, pain and suffering that was put into the building of the FDC. Now there are several of former comrades and allies that is now on board with the PFF. They can continue this struggle and fight under a new banner.

It is tragic that it had to go this way, but the PFF has to exist to prolong the continued battle with the regime. The way to be in the way and be a voice of reason. The PFF and Besigye has now a movement and a party that will resemble what they are fighting for.

Now its time to rebuild and rehash the liberation struggle. Now the ones surrounding Besigye won’t associated with or be part of a party that is compromised. That’s what his happening here and the FDC is on the losing end. In stead of being a powerhouse, it’s a house that has lost vital leaders and allies, which could have much more sway. The FDC has the history now, but not the likes of Besigye and others who are now working in tandem with him.

That is the memo here. It is a new party on the horizon, which is fighting for freedom. That is the news. It is breaking news. Not shocking news, but a reflection on the times.

Besigye have moved on, and new others will follow him too. Peace.

Opinion: Sabiiti is a disappointing fellow…

“I worked with Dr Kizza Besigye when he was president of FDC party. He contested [against President Museveni] three times but when you look at his achievements they were very minimal. Now he’s struggling to come back so that these young people (Patrick Amuriat and Nandala Mafabi) are pushed out of the party” – Jack Sabiiti (24.08.2024)

To hear Jack Sabiiti speak in this manner of Dr. Kizza Besigye is just sad. That a fellow founder of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has turned this way. It is really just a tragic sight.

The man who has been entrusted over the years and worked in close association. To speak of each other this way. Where Sabiiti is openly maligning Besigye at every turn. It is so easy to see interviews and articles of late where he speaks venom against former comrade in the cause.

That’s just what Sabiiti does now to Besigye. Instead of saying what the FDC Najjanankumbi is doing differently or has to offer. His instead going after Besigye and whoever is in his midst. Just like the Party President and Secretary General. All of them are in cahoots in and in the battlefield to destroy Besigye.

That’s how this is looking by the day. The former MP who happens to be friends with former Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda and Gen. Moses Ali. We know by the reports that Sabiiti has been willing and wanting to have dialogue with Museveni. Therefore, he wanted to betray the cause and get compromised.

Anyone who settles and hold talks with President is being bought and dumped. It is like Sabiiti doesn’t care about and thinks everyone has a price. That reflects on how he maligns Besigye. This is all happening after the “dirty” money and the internal quagmire of an affair, which has left two fractions dwindle apart from the party.

I’m just getting tired of the ones back in the FDC HQ throwing shade at Katonga Road and whoever resides there. When they are the ones that made them “person non-grata” and disassociated itself with the fraction. It was the FDC resolution and decision to do so. Therefore, whatever Besigye and his likes does from now is on its own. That’s the play and the options they have been given.

It is just tarnishing and damaging of the FDC HQ leaders to continue this path. It is bound to self-destruct, as they should their folly. Alas, they are maybe high on their own supply. Thinking they will overcome and become the noble leaders again. However, that ship has sailed and they don’t even know it yet.

Sabiiti should reflect on his choices and the manners of which his describing fellow peers. Him and Besigye should be friends and long term associates. These two should know each other and respect each other. Nevertheless, Sabiiti and the FDC HQ are only disrespecting and downplaying Besigye. They are treating him as the villain, the villain who only wanted accountability and wondered about questionable funding of the party. Alas, that is too much to ask of these fellow comrades, apparently.

That’s why we are here… and Sabiiti who is ageing should know better. Jack Cissy Sabiiti should be more reflected and have more insights. However, he prefers being on the high horse and never consider that it can throw him off. Peace.

Opinion: POA cannot outwit his mentor Besigye…

“It is not true that Dr Besigye sidelines people. He has been working with everyone” – Patrick Amuriat Oboi (25.04.2018)

“I want to be President. And this is no surprise, because I got good training from Dr. Besigye. Now you see that I have experience; you can see it when you watch television these days. So on January 14, go vote the key, go vote for POA” – Patrick Amuriat Oboi (05.01.2021)

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has kneeled and internal bickering gotten destroyed. As the two sides hasn’t squashed it. Meanwhile they are both moving forward, but we know the bridges are burnt. There are no return of the FDC Headquarters and the Katonga Road branch. Both of these entities are separate units, which used to belong to the FDC.

Patrick Amuriat Oboi, who happens to be Party President of the FDC knows this very well. As he was a follower, a student and a participant of the Katonga Road branch. The man developed there and built alliances in the past, which was one of the reasons why Besigye vouched for his candidacy over Muntu. That has been the final straw and is now used against Besigye. This just shows what sort of fella he is now. Not that its shocking, because POA has already dismissed and downplayed Besigye. The FDC HQ has even made him “person non-grata” in the party and the whole Katonga road.

So the rant today isn’t anything new, but shows how fierce POA has become…

“There is a very big fundamental problem with the “made in 1986” political group (model) who have over time proven to be the same, everything Ugandans know about Mr. Museveni, Col. Besigye seems to be three or two folds of it. Upto now as we all know that Mr. Museveni has never dreamt of life outside Presidency with more ambiguities on a succession plan. It’s worse with our brother Col. Besigye for as long as he is not the leader of this Party or any anti Government organization, the country, and the entire world has no person that can serve better than him. According to him, Gen. Muntu was bad for the Party and therefore branded a mole and had to be hounded out of the Party. Now even me who succeeded Gen. Muntu together with the Secretary General Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi when we refused to be his stooges, we were branded all sorts of names like sale outs, engata, ebikooko and all other tribes of names that one can ever think of. I can assure you that even his current political peg boys will fall out with him should they attempt to be independent minded. The World can now see for themselves that the allegations advanced by Dr.Kizza Besigye against the leadership of FDC were intended to tarnish the Secretary General and myself out of selfish personal considerations We saw how the team was busy discrediting the leadership of the Party yet this group is more questionable than those they blackmail. Clearly Dr.Kizza Besigye has surrounded himself with characters of questionable reputations knowingly but has kept silent for his own political expedience” – Patrick Amuriat Oboi (21.08.2024).

It is really amazing that he wants to use Gen. Mugisha Muntu as a shield now. Reflecting on it and how the FDC handled the loss of the Party President, which happened to go to POA. That was the ordeal that broke the camel’s back. POA can act indified, When he has called Muntu for “selfish” and sort of other thing to undermine him too. While he called Besigye his “political mentor”.

That is really compelling here and the betrayal to say the least. That the case of “money” and possible “illicit funds” could alter the equation so much. These was supposed brothers and now they are sworn “enemies”. Because, POA is speaking only ill of Besigye and his allies now. The ones that helped him to the position and office to begin with. If it wasn’t their support and endorsement. He would be a former MP and an unknown stalwart in the party. This is just being real about POA and what he has to offer.

That’s why seeing how he has mellowed on Muntu, but brutally goes after the people of Katonga is compelling. It is hurting his pride and his ego. This is damaging his calm, because he knows the heart of the party is there. Besigye and his comrades are the ones that brought the vision, the drive and the purpose of the party. Not the like of Nandala-Mafabi or himself. Not even Sabiiti or anyone else left. They followed head over tail for whatever campaign or sort of mission that Besigye had. Therefore, POA should ask himself.

Why are you betraying your mentor, the one who given you training and ones who works with everyone. That’s the one that is apparently “surrounding himself with questionable characters”. Once upon a time that would have been you, but you have disassociated yourself with him. Its POA who has dismissed and discarded the Katonga road. The Katonga road wanted a proper investigation and go into the roots of the matter. While the FDC HQ just made a mockery and pre-emptively ensured a “cleaned hands” report. Therefore, we know who is shady and untrustworthy out of the lot.

POA you cannot win against the one that trained you and mentored you. He knows what he taught you and what you learned. The past will haunt you and you will never be anywhere close to Besigye.

Besigye will be your boogeyman and you know. He will haunt you and be your nightmare. That’s what you have become and it was your own making. Peace.

Opinion: The FDC without Katonga is without its heart…

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) are now split into two fractions. That isn’t a secret, but been on public display for nearly a year or so now. The public disregard for each other and display of entitlement comes forward.

The delegation conference of the FDC Katonga Branch was naturally dismissed by the leadership of the Najjanankumbi fraction. The ones who holds the keys to the FDC headquarters and the official titles there. They have already disassociated with the Katonga branch and the divorce has already commenced.

The leaders of Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Nathan Nandala-Mafabi has shown their discontent with the FDC Katonga and used their roles to dismiss it completely. That was done and therefore, the FDC Katonga is on its own by those merits alone.

The FDC Katonga should jus start a “new formation” or a new party on its own. They are former FDC to begin with and aren’t a part of the what was known as the FDC. These leaders like Dr. Kizza Besigye and others aren’t now part of the official party. They can claim so, but it is semantics, and we know that the FDC HQ have the blessings of the Electoral Commission. Which means they are the official and the ones who has the seals.

The ones ruling from the HQ can have done without merits and done so without following procedure. They can have acted in rage and in arrogance. That is a fact too. The whole way of being incumbent and taking over the party could be seen as a coup. However, they have the signings and the paperwork to back it up.

That’s why the heart and the principles are standing on the outside. Besigye and his allies are now outsiders looking in. That is tragic and shows how the party has fallen. When one of their own has to rebuild and re-organize from the outside. When Besigye is one of the reasons for why the FDC has been viable and been a powerhouse in the Republic. That’s not because of the current leadership of the FDC, but because of him. That’s the truth and the brutal one at that.

Besigye has build a new home together with allies. They got to and there is no other way out. They cannot dismantle or destroy the FDC while doing so. That’s because the FDC HQ is safeguarded and has the authorities on its side. It is tragic, but one of the founders has no power or authority to bring it down. The only thing he can do is bring the people and the ones he trust with him. That being Lukwago or anyone else defying the ones who has taken over the FDC.

This is all Besigye has and the delegation conference is just a new beginning. However, it isn’t a story of the FDC. It is a story of betrayal and distrust. A story of a forged narrative and a lost cause. A party that has lost their way and was compromised, in such a way it has disassociated itself with a founder and a former Presidential Candidate of the same party. That what has happened and it shows where the hurt remains.

The pain, the suffering of seeing the FDC like this. There is so many victims and people who sacrificed itself for that party. To see that party losing its way and becoming like this. Taking the heart out of it and selling it to the highest bidder. The FDC won’t be the same. It’s already a mockery and a charade of what it used to be.

That’s the FDC Katonga Branch just needs a new name, slogan and a new party constitution. It needs a new manifesto and a new way forward. Because, being riddle with the past and with the glories of the FDC. It won’t do them any favours. That one has sailed. The past won’t help Besigye or his fellow comrades in the struggle. No, they will only feel worried and feel like they lost what they fought for. Which is true…

Now is the time to move on and get a new movement to work for the cause. Not bicker with FDC HQ and the useless enterprise that has sold its soul. Time to find a new way and on its own. As they will show the difference between the FDC HQ and whatever name the Besigye outfit will have.

Besigye will galvanize people and will make a difference wherever he is. That we know and the ones living in the HQ knows this. Peace.

Opinion: Ssemujju Nganda MP asked the right questions… [but he won’t get the answers his seeking]

“I need an explanation from Government, people kidnapped from Kenya and beaten, you this Government of a “Freedom Fighter” that were in Luwero now the same Museveni is making MPs being brutally arrested, sitting them in the mud and charging them with public nuisance. Maybe that Museveni disappeared and we have another person, so can we be told, why we are being mistreated in our country to this level?” (…) “Nicholas Kamara (Kabale Municipality) and I with our other colleagues were charged with public nuisance, that two MPs of our caliber were a public nuisance, going to deliver a protest note to the Kenyan embassy. The Kenyan isn’t a kiosk of Uganda, we even go there to receive Visas. When I raised this matter last week, the Attorney General said we can’t explain, when I went to Kenya to seek for an explanation, they arrested us and beat us. Do they want us to go to heaven?”– Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda MP (06.08.2024)

This story is getting old and rather quick… that’s not the fault of the Member of Parliament or the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) – Katonga branch, which he represents at the moment. The MP is righteous in his cause and for questioning the President and his government. The authorities and everyone involved in the matter should be scrutinized. That is only free and fair…

Ssemujju Nganda MP knows that Museveni isn’t the same man as the man in the bush. If he is the same man… than his a serial liar and a man of manipulation. As his interests has been his own domain and enrichment over the benefit of the Republic. It has all been a deliberate scheme to get into power and consolidate all power through the usage of force. That isn’t the message of the NRA or the bush-war generals, but the message his spreading by his actions and the use of lethal weapons. That’s what is carrying the legacy of the President as we speak.

The MP knows all of this… and only uses clever rhetoric to undermine and pressure the government after the recent arrest. The manner of which was brutal. His within his rights to do so and he did so for fellow comrades in his party. The MP acted on the interests of his party and the leadership that surrounds him. Therefore, the state stopped him from assembling and petition the different stakeholders who helped to abduct, kidnap and detain fellow party members. Which is a very reasonable act of an MP. His only standing his ground and trying to find answers. However, he has been blocked before in Parliament and now arrested on the streets.

Clearly, the state don’t want the truth out. They want to silence and stop the critics for getting any sort of viable information out. That’s why the FDC Katonga Branch leaders wasn’t allowed to give a petition and ask for help by the Kenyan embassy in Kampala. Neither has the MP gotten any answers in Parliament. Which further shows the disdain and the lack of sensibility from the high ranking officials in question. They are just fine with the actions made and how they are operating. As if, this is ordinary and how the government should handle its own citizens. It is just despicable and it’s depressing.

President Museveni and the state doesn’t have any favours for the likes of Ssemujju Nganda MP. His a noise-maker and a hooligan in their eyes. The MP is on the wrong path and isn’t beholden to the NRM Way. That’s why he will get silence and possible be in more legal jeopardy if he continues to challenge the state. His Excellency, the Fountain of Honour won’t allow or accept these sorts of troublemakers. Even if the trouble is created out of necessity and worry for fellow party members. These who are lingering on thumped up charges and will face long time behind bars. Just because they dared to travel to leadership training in Kenya.

The MP should get proper answers and the state shouldn’t act like this. However, they are only acting like they have done for years. No value of dissent or opposition. They are supposed to be silent and accept this treatment. They are not supposed to be vocal or speak up. No, just be happy citizens and allow this impunity to happen on the regular. Where the state isn’t beholden to the constitution or rule of law. Only using the law and the authorities as mechanisms to shut dissent down. Therefore, the words of the MP won’t matter much. That is the saddest part here.

Ssemujju Nganda MP is right asking it… but we know this will die down and everyone will move on to the next tragedy awaiting. Another chapter of remorse and pain. The plight just continues… and the state is serving the nation with more fear, intimidation and usage of force, which is done in the name of the President and his High Command. Peace.