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.