KAMPALA – The president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Patrick Amuriat Oboi, has recommended disciplinary action against seven party leaders, including Erias Lukwago and Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, for what he called continued hostility towards the party.
In a letter dated August 8, 2023 to the Chairman FDC Disciplinary Committee, James Otto, Amuriat said in line with article 28(3)(b)(iii) of the party constitution, the party leaders must be disciplined.
The officials are Hon. Erias Lubwago-Ag. Deputy President; Hon. Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda – Secretary for Information Publicity; Hon. Kennedy Obello-Ag. Deputy Secretary for Presidency;. Dr. George Obeli Ekwaro-Ag. Deputy Secretary for Mobilization; and. Mr. Samuel Mabhoba W’Mugenyi-Ag. Deputy for International & Regional Affairs.
Others are; Mr. Amon Ayesiga Rubarema-Secretary for Works & Transport and Hon. Mubarab Munyagwa-Ag. Secretary for Mobilization.
“Once the proceedings commence I will be available to provide details of the party’s case against each of the accused. In the meantime and moving under the above mentioned constitutional provision, I will be making appointments on acting basis to offices held by the above mentioned members,” he said.
“You may need to note that with exception of Hon. Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda and Mr. Amon Ayesigome who were elected by the National Delegates Conference, all the above members were appointed by me on acting basis,” he added.
This comes after the FDC’s Secretary General, Nandala Mafabi, dropped Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda as party chief whip in Parliament and replaced him with Mawokota South MP Yusuf Nsibambi.
He quoted section 6j (1) of the Administration of Parliament (Amendment )Act 2006 which states that a party in opposition may appoint its chief whip.
The changes come amidst a crisis in the party emanating from allegations that Nandala brought “dirty” money into the opposition party from the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM with the intention of selling it to the NRM.
The allegations first made public by Ssemujju originated from FDC founding president, Dr Kiiza Besigye who says that he received information in 2020 that Nandala had received Money from the state House. The information reached Besigye two weeks after Nandala had entrusted him with 300 million Shillings and gave another 280 million Shillings to the party president Eng Patrick Oboi Amuriat.
The allegations prompted the party’s National Council to form a committee of elders to investigate the matter. However, the committee in its report didn’t focus on Investigating the source of the money and under what conditions it was received. Rather, the Dr. Frank Nabwiso-led committee focused on reconciling Besigye, and Nandala.
