KAMPALA – Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has said he is not joining the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party for self-interest but rather to strengthen his cause for liberating the country.
“I am not here for political scheming and for those who are speculating, please leave me out of this. I am not in FDC for a meal card. I am here to serve my new party,” Mr Lukwago said after he was unveiled as a member of the opposition party at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi in Kampala on Tuesday.
Mr Lukwago said he was only in the party to strengthen his bond with patriotic members of the FDC with whom he has over the years fought to liberate Ugandans from the dictatorship.
He thanked his former party Democratic Party for giving him a platform to showcase his leadership attributes. He especially paid tribute to Dr Kawanga Ssemogerere for grooming him.
Flanked by wife, he also hailed Dr Kizza Besigye for supporting him in his cause. He said he was joining FDC out of his free will and was not cajoled by anyone.
Dr Lukwago said he did not want to give reasons why he was leaving DP.
He also urged the other members of the Opposition and the general public to unite and work to overthrow the dictatorship.
FDC president Patrick Amuriat welcomed Mr Lukwago to the party.
“Welcome to this family (FDC). You came to where you belong, welcome to FDC. This is your home, and to my friends of FDC, a high-quality person has joined us. Thank you for honoring the FDC by appointing Doreen Nyanjura as your deputy. I don’t know if you (Erias Lukwago) are going to be the Lord Mayor, the president, time will tell us. As a party, we shall continue to support you in all ways,” he said.
“Today many organizations and groups have been infiltrated by the dictator. Here in the FDC, we saw them and told them they didn’t have good intentions for the party,” he added.