This afternoon, unconfirmed reports made the rounds that General Mugisha Muntu, a former FDC Party President had decided he was quitting the party and headed elsewhere.
This isn’t good news for FDC. But it was welcome news for NRM who believed Muntu was too clean to be part of a ‘crooked’ FDC, and also good news for FDC die-hards who always believed Muntu’s non-confrontational approach to opposition politics was because he was ‘weak’.
Other circles actually have always labeled the decorated army general an NRM mole, a tag he has worked so hard to brush off.
The ‘news’ of Muntu’s exit from FDC is welcome pie for many. NRM has always wanted to lure him back, while a section of FDC stalwarts including former Leader of opposition in Parliament, Winnie Kiiza believed Muntu was a more ‘suitable’ leader of their party, over Patrick Amuriat who has Besigye’s backing.
At the height of the in-fighting that plagued FDC at the start of this year pitting Patrick Amuriat against Muntu, the challenge saw many FDC stalwarts taking sides with Abdu Katuntu, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Winnie Kiiza siding with Muntu, while Besigye and the rest jumped into Amuriat’s camp.
The power tussle saw Amuriat disband the parliament leadership team, bringing in a new crop that was considered more pro-FDC. Muntu at the loss of the party Presidency announced that he would make clear of his next path, with many jumping to the conclusion that he would perhaps form his own party.
“General Muntu is the kind of leader you want to follow. He is strategic with his moves and has always kept his word. Many in FDC believe opposition is about being anti-government and Museveni, a notion Muntu trashes. He believes in offering alternative direction of serving people. This has made him seem weak in the face of radical FDC supporters who believe in discrediting the NRM and trying to coerce even by forceful means the populace” said John Mitala, an FDC district leader in Wakiso
In all their fights, NRM has openly avoided attacking General Muntu who they consider a mild opposition leader. Infact, NRM leadership has previously openly said they would welcome him back if he decided to ‘reform’. “ For us in NRM, we consider Muntu liberal. We would gladly welcome him back with open arms. He is a good gentleman who stands for the same ideals that the NRM believes in” said Ernest Okanga, a fervent NRM Supporter from Amuriat.
