Opposition political party, FDC, has denied showing exit to its Deputy President in charge of Buganda Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, who was last week appointed by President Yoweri Museveni as the State Minister for ICT and National Guidance.
On Friday last week, party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat confirmed that Ssebugwawo had accepted the appointment and thus ceased being a member with immediate effect, according to according to the party’s constitution.
While addressing reporters at the party headquarters on Monday, John Kikonyogo, the Deputy party spokesperson said that it is the choice Ssebugwawo willing made but not the party.
“The leadership of FDC did not expel Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo but the constitution which we wrote including herself clearly provides that one ceases being our member once he or she joins another political party – that is what the President meant in his letter on Friday,” Kikonyogo said on Monday.
“Accepting the appointment meant that she offended Article 12 of the FDC Constitution. She know it, and she willingly decided on her own,” he added.
He said as a party, they not not happy that they have lost a senior member but FDC was started on fighting for human rights and democracy and thus lacks the powers to stop members who want to quit the party.
“Every person has the right to join or exit FDC at will, blocking her violates her rights,” he says.
Nandala Mafabi, the CDC Secretary General last week said the party was pleased with Nabbosa for coming out in the light to show her willingness to work with the NRM government as Minister.
“We are happy at Najjanankumbi (FDC headquarters) otherwise it would be very dangerous if she pretended to be with us when her mind is wanting to serve in NRM but since she has come out, it is a good thing, it is her choice, we wish her well. FDC is not a prison, it is free entry free exit,” Mafabi said.
If approved this week by the appointments committee of parliament, Nabbosa will join Beti Olive Kamya, Beatrice Atim Anywar and others who have previously left FDC and taken on ministerial positions in the Museveni-led government.
According to Amuriat, FDC remains unshaken despite the departures of these key members.
“She now joins our former colleagues who earlier on parted ways with us leaving behind an even stronger party. My firm believe is that her departure although hurting the organization will not lead to our disintegration and should encourage us to even work harder in pursuit of our goals,” he said.