The Democratic Party has distanced itself from the newly formed People’s Front for Transition led by Dr Kiiza Besigye.
The People’s Front for Transition (PFT) was Thursday 7, launched at the JEEMA party headquarters in Mengo as a vehicle to push President Kaguta Museveni out of power.
A number of politicians were unveiled as leaders in the coalition, they included Samuel Walter Lubega Mukaku, Kenneth Paul Kakande, among others as the DP bloc representatives in the Front.
However, in a statement, the DP spokesperson, Okoler Opio Lo Amanu, warned the PFT against allowing these individuals to claim any association with the DP Bloc describing it as be deceptive and fraudulent.
“The Democratic Party has noted with sadness, concern and amusement the attempt by one Kalinge Nyago and some former members of the Democratic Party namely Sam Lubega Mukaaku, Sulaiman Kidandala, Kenneth Paul Kakande, Vincent Mayanja and Christine Ikiria purporting to be leaders in Dr. Besigye’s People’s Front and claiming to be representing the DP Bloc,”
“They are at it again, shamelessly masquerading as representatives of the DP Bloc. We wish to warn the People’s Front against allowing these individuals to claim any association with the DP Bloc. That would be deceptive and fraudulent,” Opio said.
Opio added, “Some of these self-seeking individuals whose trademark is indiscipline and opportunism once claimed that they had joined the National Unity Platform (NUP) as members of the DP Bloc. We warned NUP about them and their disruptive tendencies. Fortunately, NUP distanced itself from them and even denied them their party ticket in the last elections,”
He said that they are the same individuals that undermined any attempt at cooperation between People Power/NUP and DP.
Opio said the individuals are free to pursue efforts to resuscitate their failing political careers but DP will not allow them to do it at its expense.
He noted that if the Front is honest in the pursuit of its stated objective, then it should take DP’s objections seriously.
“If indeed the People’s Front is honest in the pursuit of its stated objectives then it should take our objections seriously,”
Opio explained that these kind of manipulative maneuvers have undermined and continue to undermine the building of a viable coalition of democracy seeking forces that can create the leverage to bring about a democratic transition in Uganda.
“We expect that these individuals will be part of the People’s Front in their capacity but certainly not as DP Bloc. Claiming to have DP Bloc without DP is like claiming to have Christianity without Christ,” he said.
Opio advised the Front to form principled alliances and focus beyond the political ambitions of individuals.
“To avoid dying in its infancy, like previous similar initiatives, the People’s Front must form principled alliances and focus beyond the political ambitions of individuals. DP welcomes the new platform and remains committed to principled cooperation with any formation that is committed to building the post-Museveni Uganda,” he said.
Opio said the task requires putting Uganda first! Indeed, the record shows that the Democratic Party remains the chief proponent and most consistent supporter of principled unity amongst change seekers.
The Front
The Front is headed by People’s Government leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye who is deputized by Lordmayor Erias Lukwago.
Others are Forum for Democratic Change leader Patrick Oboi Amuriat, Conservative Party’s John Ken Lukyamuzi, Social Democratic Party’s under Michael Mabikke, Uganda People’s Congress splinter faction led by lawyer Peter Walubiri and the Democratic Party splinter bloc represented by Samuel Lubega Mukaku.
Opposition biggest political party the National Unity Platform did not join the coalition.
The pressure group’s main objective is to dislodge President Museveni from power without using the avenue of elections.
The Front head, Besigye, during the launch, said, they have have tested all ways of ousting Museveni and elections are not part of the avenues.
“I am an expert on this. We tried to vote but we all agreed that a vote will not take us anywhere. We are here to gather outside the possibility of an election. Those who think that an election will take us anywhere can continue,” Besigye said.