FDC unity threatened by UPC boycott proposal
By Justin S. Tibenda – 30th Aug-5th Sept
The Forum for Democratic Change [FDC] has failed to get all its top leaders to sing from the same hymn sheet over the election boycott proposal put forth by UPC President Dr. Olara Otunnu.
Dr Otunnu, speaking on behalf of UPC at a crisis meeting convened last Monday to iron out disagreements in the opposition IPC coalition, proposed that the IPC should not take part in the 2011 elections unless the Kiggundu-led Electoral Commission is disbanded.
He also argued that it would be pointless for the opposition to participate in the 2011 elections when they are well aware that the national voters register is bloated with ghost voters who will vote in favour of Museveni’s ruling NRM party. “When we said the current EC is not independent, we meant it. When we said the voters register is fraudulent, we meant it. So, unless those issues are addressed first, we shall be wasting our time”; Otunnu is reported to have said.
Mr Otunnu’s proposal was however rejected by the other leaders in the coalition; namely Dr Kizza Besigye [FDC], Asuman Basalirwa [Jeema], Michael Mabikke [SDP] and CP’s Prof. James Kigongo. According to a source that talked to the Daily Monitor newspaper, the leaders argued that if they boycott elections but Mr Bidandi Ssali and his PPP, and Dr Abed Bwanika and his [PDP] participate, President Museveni will go around telling the world that he defeated the opposition.
But Otunnu’s reasoning had struck a chord with some FDC officials who are convinced that their leader Dr. Kizza Besigye is bowing to pressure from some FDC MPs whose primary interest in pushing for participation in the 2011 elections is to get re-elected back to parliament in order to earn a living.
One of the FDC officials, a soft spoken FDC MP who spoke to Uganda Correspondent outside parliament on condition of anonymity, said “…I am surprised by the thinking of a few colleagues in parliament. The reasons they are giving for wanting to participate in these coming elections have no national outlook whatsoever. Unfortunately, they seem to be winning the battle for influence within IPC. 2001 and 2006 taught us that the EC, the army, the police, and the NRM are one and the same thing. So why repeat the same mistakes”; the FDC legislator wondered.
And he wasn’t alone. Charles Okwir, a London based former External Country Coordinator for FDC in the UK, answered an email request for comment on the IPC crisis and said: “…I am FDC through and through. But I really don’t agree with the position that my party, CP, Jeema, and CP are taking. Otunnu is absolutely right on this one. There can never be free and fair elections in Uganda if Museveni has any say in who organises those elections. The Supreme Court of Uganda has twice found exactly that. So who am I to disagree with the highest court in the land”.
Another FDC official however played it all down and said that it was normal for disagreements to emerge in any party that is as democratic as FDC is. “…I see no problem with some of our members having divergent views on such a crucial matter. In fact I would have been surprised if there hadn’t been any disagreements. We respect their views. But the majority of our members support the party’s position and the majority carries the day. That is what democracy is all about”; he said.
The other party leaders in the IPC have strongly hinted that they would be prepared to carry IPC’s agenda through even if UPC pulls out of the alliance all together. Clearly, it is fair to say that all is not good in the IPC house. END. If it’s Monday, it’s Uganda Correspondent. Never miss out again.
