Rwakafuzi to lead FDC election probe tribunal

Investigations. A five-member committee, led by lawyer Rwakafuzi, has three terms of reference and will conduct the inquiry for 30 days.

The Forum for Democratic Change yesterday named a five-member committee to investigate complaints raised by supporters of the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mr Nandala Mafabi, over the conduct of last year’s party presidential elections.

Mr Patrick Baguma, the FDC vice-chairman, said that the team, chaired by Mr Ladislaus Rwakafuzi, a city lawyer, would conduct inquiries for 30 days before submitting a report to the National Executive Committee through the party chairman.

Mr Rwakafuzi will determine whether to hold proceedings openly or in camera.

Other members of the committee are Mr Atanasius Rutaro, Mr Nasser Obore Mudi , Ms Elizabeth Abong and Mr Stephen Okwalinga. A committee secretary will be named.

Gen. Mugisha Muntu and Mr Mafabi’s camps both nominated two members to the committee.

The committee will hear inquiries based on three terms of references.
“[The committee] will determine whether or not the omissions and commissions as contained in the memorandum took place during the elections and the electioneering process,” Mr Baguma read from a statement.

Mr Baguma added: “[The committee] will observe and determine the functions and relationship between party organs and ad-hoc committees set up for election processes.”

The committee will also determine whether or not the regulations regarding electioneering processes, party code of conduct and any other instruments prescribed in the party constitution were breached by persons named in the memorandum [petition].

Named
Secretary general Alice Alaso, head of the party’s electoral commission, Mr Dan Mugarura, the party president, Gen Muntu, and Ms Anita Among, the deputy finance secretary, are named in the petition filed by Mr Mafabi’s supporters.

Party treasurer Jack Sabiiti, who nominated Mr Mafabi, down-played reports of a rift within the party after the elections.

“There is no doubt that things are not going smoothly but this has to be expected where there are human beings. Our only difference is that there are issues which we wanted discussed openly,” Mr Sabiiti said.

Mr Sabiiti added that FDC cannot bar debate about critical issues within the party, a trend he said was prevalent in the ruling party.

Busia Municipality MP Kevina Taaka welcomed the team as “an independent organ” whose findings will be made open.

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