UNAUTHORISED MOBILISATION: FDC Leadership Summons Moses Byamugisha

At 13th April a letter written by Nandala Mafabi the Secretary-General for Forum for Democratic Change raised concerns over alleged unsanctioned mobilization activities being conducted by one Moses Byamugisha. According to the letter, Moses Byamugisha a former candidate for FDC Party President was engaging in activities in different tertiary institutions without the party's authorization. Byamugisha was advised to halt all activities and appear before the party's Working Committee on 16th April to explain himself. However, when NTV contacted Byamugisha on phone regarding the same matter, he refuted the allegations that his activities in different universities were illegal saying whatever he was doing was for the good of the party. “The first intention is that I am invited. I am invited because there is a unique status I occupy in the party in the eyes of its young members that’s the first reason. The second reason is that I remain a young but ambitious person not only in the politics of FDC but also in the politics of our country.” Said, Moses Byamugisha – FDC Party Member.

Byamugisha also said he was not likely to appear before the Working Committee as per the FDC Secretary General's invitation. “Notice; the letter was released when I was already in Western Uganda, right now am in Kanungu district at the border with Congo. If I am to attend tomorrow I have to travel back to Kampala which is not easy.” In the same letter, Nandala Mafabi stated that the Youth League was completely out of touch with Byamugisha’s activities which the FDC’s National Youth Leader Iddi Ouma refuted. “As a person, I think the act of writing to Byamugisha was wrong and uncalled for. What we need is that the party must get coordinated so that when there is an activity in the youth leadership then the person in charge of that department should report.” Said, Iddi Ouma – National Youth Leader, FDC. However, the party's Spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda advised Byamugisha to honor Nandala’s invitation. “I want to advise my young brother Byamugisha if he has been summoned by the party to honor the invitation to go and explain. What I don’t agree is stopping any FDC leader from carrying out consultations. But FDC inviting any leader to come and explain; it is courtesy that anyone should honor.” Said, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda – FDC Spokesperson.

Ssemujju who doubles as the Chief Whip in Parliament said every FDC member was expected to respect party leadership. “The moment you don’t respect the leadership of your own party, it means even when you get into power you will not respect the leadership that will emerge. So I don’t see any problem first of all Byamugisha continuing his meetings but also by Byamugisha coming to Najjanankumbi to explain to the FDC leaders that the reason I am carrying out these consultations is to achieve the following.” Since Patrick Amuriat won FDC leadership, there has been parallel arrangements from party members including former party president Mugisha Muntu whose political analysts fear may divide the biggest opposition party further.