The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President, Patrick Amuriat has warned that party members who continue to defy the position of the party will face disciplinary action. He reminded those who still harbor differences with the party leadership that the party is bigger than the conflict that might exist between individuals.
The FDC President was addressing journalists at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi on Monday to review his first 100 days as party leader.
While Amuriat said that his leadership had prioritized party cohesion given the rift that followed the heated elections in November 2017, he admitted that some members in FDC are still hurting and require time to heal.
“I have held successful meetings with Gen Muntu as well as other former contestants; Dan Matsiko and Moses Byaruhanga. And the presence of Matsiko here is a manifestation that we don’t disagree,” he said.
“But some of our members are slow at healing especially after the election. This is why they are not actively involved with us,” Amuriat noted.
He was responding to a question from a journalist on why there is still sharp division within the party, evident in the fact that former FDC President, Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu and the individuals that supported his bid against Amuriat have not demonstrated support towards his programs.
“We shall not rush the process of healing because it is natural,” he said.
He however said that there was already signs of reconciliation, alluding to FDC spokesperson, Semujju Nganda who was main campaigner of Muntu whom he said has since been addressing press conferences at Najjanankumbi.
There has been criticism from Amuriat’s leadership towards Gen Muntu for holding nationwide consultative meetings without the approval of the party. Some might view Amuriat’s warning against defiance within the party as a direct caution to Muntu for undermining his leadership.
Meanwhile, Amuriat also highlighted some of the achievements that he has registered ever since he was elected to lead Uganda’s biggest opposition party in November last year. He said that the ‘Tubalemese’ campaign has yielded success especially with the increasing resistance towards the 317 Anti-age limit MPs from their electorate.
“Tubalemese campaign which sought to isolate the 317 MPs showed popular discontent in government. Many are being chased by their constituents while some have apologized for taking a wrong decision,” he said.
Among other successes, Amuriat alluded to the recently concluded Parliamentary by-election in Jinja East constituency where the FDC candidate emerged winner. Amuriat described the victory as “a referendum against the NRM”.
He said that the electorate stood up to the ruling government despite the high Police and military deployment, armed thugs, ballot stuffing and that it exposed the Electoral Commission and the “thieving NRM”.
“Let them dare go for a referendum. FDC will show them. The victory in Jinja East is important as it came in my first 100 days and is the first by election for FDC to win”.
Regarding building the party structures, the FDC President noted that efforts have been made to fill the existing gaps in leadership positions as well as formulating the party’s business arm and standards to be followed.