Controversy as 200 FDC members defect to NRM
Minister Otafiire (back to camera), receives people who defected from FDC on Sunday.
The defection of 200 people who claim to be supporters of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in Tooro region, to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has sparked controversy.
On Sunday, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, received dozens of people who defected from FDC, at Booma ground in Fort Portal.
The defectors are from Ntoroko, Kamwenge, Bunyangabu and Kabarole districts.
Prominent defectors included the acting Kabarole District FDC chairperson, Mr George Kusemererwa, the Regional Coordinator, Mr James Birungi Ozo, the Mid-Western Coordinator, Mr Remegious Turyaheebwa and the Regional General Secretary,Mr Bruhani Kahwa among others.
The defectors claimed that they had abandoned Uganda’s largest Opposition party because of “endless infighting in FDC and the fact that NRM now seems stronger and more organised.”
However, during the event, Mr Turyaheebwa stirred anger within the camp of “original” NRM supporters.
Mr Turyaheebwa argued that NRM has implemented so many projects in the region but the area party cadres don’t know how to speak about them.
He said he would embark on highlighting NRM achievement whenever he gets a chance.
Mr Turyaheebwa said he wants to reorganise the party in the region because there is a glaring absence of strong party structures.
But the Kabarole NRM Youth Chairperson, who also doubles at the Speaker Fort Portal Municipality, Mr Gilbert Kayondo, described Mr Turyaheebwa’s statement as reckless “only meant to undermine” their hard work.
Mr Kayondo said he is extremely angered by NRM leaders who think that they will rejuvenate party support by recruiting defectors and opportunists-whose only interest is money- instead of concentrating on reorganising the party.
Mr Turyaheebwa, however, says that he cannot apologise over accurate statements he while sober.
Kabarole District NRM chairman, Mr John Kusemerwa, says that even though Mr Turyaheebwa’s statements are annoying, he would not respond to him or get bothered about them because they are minor.
