Government behind FDC petitions, official claims

Party’s electoral body boss says comments by Nandala supporters imply that there is a government hand behind them.

The chairperson of the Forum for Democratic Change electoral commission, Mr Dan Mugarura, has told the committee investigating complaints related to last year’s party presidential elections that there is a “government hand behind the motives of the petitioners.”

He said yesterday that the lead petitioner of Mr Nandala Mafabi’s supporters, Maj Rubaramira Ruranga, has continued launching attacks on the party president, even as a committee investigates the complaints raised.
Mr Mugarura said this could indicate that Maj Rubaramira harbours other agenda.

“Yes it (government) has a serious role and I will table evidence when the right time comes. If you have petitioned and the complaints are being heard, why should you go in the media and say the party is still in trouble and that the party president does not have the competence to lead a political party?” Mr Mugarura told the committee at the party headquarters in Najjanakumbi.

Not me
He, however, denied claims by the petitioners that he referred to Maj. Rubaramira as a non-party member.
Mr Mugarura conceded that allowing proxy votes for delegates resident in Uganda, was contrary to the party electoral guidelines and apologised for the mishap.

Mr Mugarura’s pronouncements echo similar concerns raised by the FDC president, Maj. Gen. (rtd) Mugisha Muntu, last week about the role of government in the fights that have plagued the country’s largest opposition political party since the November 22 disputed elections.

On the queries that were raised over the voters register, Mr Mugarura said the party failed to secure funds to facilitate a clean-up process of the register, exposing it to manipulation.

Meanwhile, supporters of Mr Mafabi are expected to respond to queries that were raised about their petition.

The petitioners will respond to what Gen Muntu, secretary general Alice Alaso and Mr Mugarura testified about the complaints.

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