Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Moses Byamugisha has said that nothing can sway him to quit the contest, not even his mentor Col Kizza Besigye.
Byamugisha whose manifesto premises on nurturing the youth to engage in active party leadership is the youngest among the five contenders.
He faces two main candidates Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu and former MP Patrick Oboi Amuriat who is favoured by Besigye.
While speaking exclusively to Byamugisha about his strategy to comb all the nooks of the country while canvassing support, he expressed determination to “Finish what I started.”
In 2015, Byamugisha had showed willingness to challenge his ‘godfather’ Besigye for party flag bearer but age ruled him out as the constitution requires a member to be 35 years to vie for that position.
Byamugisha gained fame as Besigye’s close aide during the famous walk to work protests.
This website understands that he still executes Besigye’s covert missions including communicating with his colleague Sam Mugumya who was incarcerated in DRC.
Asked if he would abide by Besigye’s advice to step down in favour of Amuriat who majority of Besigye’s followers have rallied behind not to split support base, Byamugisha wondered how he would face his supporters after ‘taking such a ‘cowardly’ decision.
“For all my time I have spent planning for this and I quit after reaching this stage?” he questioned.
Byamugisha made it categorical clear that has no open door for dialogue with any candidate.
Some reports suggest that he is being nurtured to take over party leadership at a later stage when he has gained vast experience in politics.
Unlike his associates attached to Besigye, Byamugisha a lawyer by profession has exhibited maturity with his political approach where he doesn’t subscribe to hate speech, tribal sentiments, character assassination, name calling and vendetta.
Besigye camp which houses Amuriat supporters openly refers to their main opponent- Mugisha Muntu as a weak leader who sympathizes with FDC rivals- the NRM.
Since 2012, when Muntu defeated Hon Nandala Mafabi in a hotly contested race, he has failed to consolidate his leadership after a section of the party’s top brass began undermining his position.
For five years he has worked under immense pressure generated them.
Those opposed to defiance strategy believe that if any candidate wins who is not Amuriat then it will be Besigye who will have lost.
