The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) based in Najjanankumbi has expressed outrage over being excluded from a recent opposition meeting aimed at discussing the release of Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye. The FDC has described this exclusion as discriminatory and a deliberate attempt to sideline their faction in national opposition politics.
FDC Leader Criticizes Opposition Actions
Eng. Patrick Amuriat Oboi, the FDC leader, condemned the opposition for locking their party out of the critical discussions. He stated that such actions are an effort to eliminate the Najjanankumbi faction from the country’s political affairs, a move the FDC firmly opposes.
Amuriat also criticized the registration of the FDC under the leadership of Erias Lukwago during the meeting, calling it inappropriate. He emphasized the importance of unity among opposition parties to avoid unnecessary divisions.
Robert Centenary Issues a Warning
Robert Centenary, another prominent leader in the Najjanankumbi faction, warned other opposition parties to steer clear of the ongoing disputes between the Katonga and Najjanankumbi factions of the FDC.
Centenary accused Ssalongo Erias Lukwago, a senior opposition figure, of fueling divisions by publicly undermining the Najjanankumbi group. He stated that such actions threaten to weaken the collective efforts of the opposition against the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
Lukwago Responds to FDC Claims
In his response, Ssalongo Erias Lukwago argued that the Najjanankumbi faction has aligned itself with the NRM government, which he claims justifies their exclusion from the meeting. Lukwago maintained that the discussions were centered on priority opposition issues and therefore did not require the participation of the Najjanankumbi faction.
Opposition Parties Excluded
In addition to the FDC, other opposition parties like Jeema and the Democratic Party (DP) were also excluded from the meeting. The conference, chaired by opposition parliamentary leader Joel Ssenyonyi, focused on strategies to strengthen opposition unity and address pressing national issues.
Call for Unity Among Opposition Parties
The ongoing disputes and divisions within the opposition continue to hinder progress toward their common goals. As accusations and counter-accusations fly, leaders from various factions are being urged to prioritize collaboration and dialogue to present a united front in their fight for democracy and justice in Uganda.
