The opposition Justice Forum (JEEMA) party has apologized to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) for the bitter exchanges that characterised their relationship in the year 2018.
The fight between the two opposition parties was so evident during the Bugiri Municipality elections where despite several engagements aimed at fielding a single opposition candidate in the race, FDC declined to withdraw their candidate, Eunice Namatende who would later lose to JEEMA’s Asumani Basalirwa.
The move by FDC was seen as a selfish and unappreciative of the efforts by JEEMA to always support FDC. This friction sparked off series of bitter exchanges by leaders on both sides on social media platforms and the mainstream media.
However, during the New Year’s message authored by JEEMA Spokesperson, Abdulnoor Kyamundu Ssentongo, the party has apologized to all members of the struggle and has called for cease fire.
Kyamundu said that indeed the year 2018 saw the emergence of new forces and methods of fighting the dictatorship which at times created some discomfort within some opposition ranks.
“The struggle has suffered irresponsible statements by both high and overzealous low profile politicians and this has created a rift amongst opposition ranks,” Kyamundu said.
“We appeal for calm and restraint, especially amongst supporters, and also call for secession of hostilities amongst liberation forces in general,” he added.
The JEEMA spokesperson reminded the opposition forces that they all have one objective and that is to cause total change, adding that they may employ different means and methods, which is a strength in itself as the enemy cannot easily deal with them using a single formula.
Going forward as 2019 begins, he appealed to the opposition groupings to honestly talk and reflect if they are to achieve the desired goal of dismantling the dictatorship. He said that JEEMA is open to dialogue any time, even with the fiercest enemies and colleagues in the struggle.
“We again appeal to senior political actors to stop using and making derogatory statements against fellow leaders and political groupings. Such statements threaten the synergy and coexistence of the liberation struggle.”
“On our part, we want to apologise most sincerely to our colleagues in the liberation struggle whom we rubbed the wrong side. It was never intended to cause harm”.
