FDC founder members speak out on Muntu exit
Reagan Okumu, Aswa MP
“I am very disappointed that I spent my youthful life building FDC as a vehicle to deliver this country from social and political quagmire, only to be [disturbed] by selfish people who joined the party as promoters. They do not know what we went through when we were forming this party. They behave like they have arrived. Muntu’s exit could help to democratise institutions like FDC. It has also been infiltrated by State agents. But there shouldn’t be bitterness and attack against those who have left. Those who have remained should also not be attacked because they need each other. We are the same people. There are two FDC groups—there is the ‘FDC in Najjanankumbi and the FDC opposed to Najjanankumbi’. The only difference is strategy, not ideology and the bigger opposition should not fear to deal with either of the group.”
Jack Sabiiti, Former Rukiga mp
“I am in FDC and it is a party I have nurtured. It has its policies and programmes and if someone wants to form his own party, that is okay. We shall continue working with other Opposition parties. But again, I saw his statement and he also says he is willing to work with the Opposition.”
Wafula Oguttu, EX-LOP (NOT FOUNDER member)
“My good friend Gen Mugisha Muntu has no good reasons to quit FDC apart from the 10-year failure to control the party and realise his long-term desire to be on the presidential ballot paper. He has no ideological issues nor serious differences over principles and objectives we know of. He would not have left the party had he retained his position as party president. The differences are over tactics not strategy. How can a true democrat run away from the decision of the majority after a free and fair election? Then why go through the elections in the first place? Once again the people have lost and the dictatorship has won.”
Alice Alaso, Former FDC Secretary General
“FDC still remains a stakeholder in the struggle for a free society. But I encourage them to consider the offer we have given them. We can still collaborate because we have a common target of regime change. They may also want to reconsider and change the statements they have been making like ‘they can leave if they want’. Those of us who have left will not only be able to give our input without encumbrances, but we will bring new energy in the bigger Opposition. Our departure allows FDC to be stronger because they have been saying we are lazy and that we are not doing much to build the party.”
Wandera Ogalo, former eala member, fdc
“Gen Muntu’s departure weakens the party because every political party that splits becomes weak.”
Musinguzi Garuga, ex-FDC Treasurer
“I quit politics. But people are free to move on and form their own political parties like some of us left the Movement. We can only wish him luck.”
Amanya Mushega, ex- FDC Vice Chairman, Western
“I don’t give interviews on phone. But the world is not coming to an end.”
Beatrice Anywar, Kitgum municipality mp (not founder member)
“There is a lot intolerance in FDC whenever you have a divergent view. If you have a divergent view, they start calling you a mole. Dr Besigye is an intolerant man. What you have seen today was a result of accumulated cases of intolerance. I congratulate Gen Muntu for moving on. He is now a free man. He was fought and humiliated. I do not see FDC growing because of its intolerance and arrogance. If you are an angry and hungry man before you get into power, you are unfit to be President.”
