Muntu’s achievements, failures

Kampala. On Tuesday, Maj Gen (rtd) Mugisha Muntu announced his separation from Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), the target opposition party in the country.
His decision has raised mixed reactions from within and outside the FDC party even before he announces his next move.
Gen Muntu until November 24, 2017, served as FDC president, a position he assumed in 2012, when he replaced founding president Dr Kizza Besigye.
His 2012 election was challenged by his runner-up, Mr Nathan Nandala Mafabi who wanted to form a new political party whereas his predecessor Dr Kizza Besigye opened a parallel coordinating office at plot 6, Katonga Road in Kampala.
Gen Muntu, however, did not manage to secure a second term in office as he lost to former Kumi County MP Patrick Amuriat Oboi in the November 24, 2017 elections at Namboole.
Dr Patrick Wakida of Research World International believes that Gen Muntu has made key strides in the development of FDC as the main Opposition party in the country.
These, he said included; the expanding of the party structures by increasing the size of the delegates conference, building good cooperation with other political parties and keeping FDC together even when he was opposed from within.
“By the time he was elected, the party’s delegate’s conference had about 700 members but two years later when they elected Nandala as secretary general, the party had expanded to almost 1,400,” Dr Wakida said.
He said Gen Muntu refused to leave behind a fractured party when he faced calls for resignation and that at the moment FDC can stand his departure.
The Agago North Member of Parliament, Prof Moris Ogenga Latigo, is among those who believe that Gen Muntu did not have significant shortcomings while serving as FDC president, saying despite the trials Muntu maintained his humility.
But Gen Muntu who was attending a series of meetings at his new offices in Bukoto, a suburb of Kampala, was not available yesterday to outline his achievements and challenges personally.
However, Mr Yokasi Bihande, the organising chairman of the breakaway team, told Daily Monitor that Gen Muntu soldiered beyond many tests and trials to make “tremendous” achievements.
“He managed to hold the party together amid all challenges that he faced as a person. You are being called a mole by people who saw you get elected but you try whatever it takes for the party not to break. He was accused by the Nandala group of rigging the elections and Dr Besigye also opened a parallel office at Katonga (road),” Mr Bihande said.

Failures
According to Dr Wakida, Gen Muntu’s challenge was inheriting a party that was underfunded, plagued internal intrigue from members who mobilised against his mode of leadership and Dr Besigye’s influence through the Katonga office.
Mr Mafabi yesterday said Gen Muntu has not left any achievements because his regime as party president failed to win the presidential elections which is the ultimate target for Opposition.
“The achievement is one, we want to take over power and those running away are cowards,” Mr Nandala said.
Former party president Dr Kizza Besigye was not available for a comment.