“It is not correct that I belong to either of the camps but I believe that FDC needs a man like Muntu because he is someone who you can rely on. For instance he kept his promise to work with Dr Kizza Besigye. This is what members told him and it is his time now” – Paul Mwiru in 2012
The five time winner of Jinja-East Constituency, Paul Mwiru. The MP for FDC since 2011. A man who has been elected, again and again and who has beaten the NRM Candidate Nathan Igme Nabeta five times in the polls is sticking by his words.
Now 9 years down the line or more than that since he was part of the Reform Agenda, losing to the same canidate in an election in 2006. Have been with the FDC since it restructured. Been in the leadership and therefore, known the people n party from the get-go.
That’s why it’s a bit sour, but with reason that he joins the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT). He was there for the launch of the party last year and today on the 7th July 2020 he has deflected. Meaning he will be standing in Jinja East in 2020 as ANT MP and not as a FDC. The third party he will represent in his career as a legislator. That is if he beats the new FDC candidate or Nabeta scores big like 2006.
The move have been in the cards. He has started the journey with Muntu and been loyal to him. The official move today was expected. It is not shocking, but evidence that Muntu get a powerful ally. A man who has worked tirelessly and been on the frontline. That is why he has been arrested, tortured and incommunicado for a while, while battling the good cause.
Mwiru was part of the New Formation, the ANT from the start. That he joined today wasn’t shocking. It has been anticipated. Just like the move for Muntu to create his own flagship when he failed to get re-elected in the FDC.
That is just the way things are at this point. Mwiru is showing loyalty with this. He already said it 8 years ago. His only living up to those words and doing something about it. Now he has together with the team of ANT have to build up that party. Instead of living on the merits of the FDC.
“Even an ant can hurt an elephant” – South African Proverb
So, let’s see if Mwiru can together with Muntu beat the elephant. The elephant he has opposed all his career. One thing Mwiru, he has shown loyalty to Muntu. Even though he trigged the FDC when he backed Wadri in his by-election and not stood by the FDC candidate.
Paul knows how tactically manoeuvre. This move is yet another one. Now a ANT MP. He believed in Muntu back-in-the-day and today. Showing integrity on this one. Let’s see if that pay-off or is a miscalculated move in 2021. Peace.