FDC heavyweight Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu is resolute to leave FDC as his party but highlighted, he will continue collaborating with all those seeking political change in the country.
Muntu, a former FDC President who served only one term before he was defeated by Patrick Oboi Amuriat as he sought re-election this year, launched consultations across the country on whether he should quit or stay in a political party he founded having fallen-out with the regime.
The fiery former army chief also defends his recent decision saying he wouldn’t continue operating in an environment where he is not trusted.
I am not a mole
Muntu, who for long been labeled a mole while serving as the powerful opposition party president said such accusations were being peddled by detractors
It is against that backdrop that many delegates rejected his re-election.
On Tuesday morning, Muntu released a statement congratulating Betty Muzanira, the newly elected Rukungiri Woman MP, highlighting that she won the much contested election through concerted efforts of opposition bigwigs.
Team work is good for opposition
Many FDC stalwarts and a horde of other anti- NRM fanatics camped in the district to dismantle NRM’s machinery.
Muntu was incidentally among those who vigorously traversed the area canvassing support for Muzanira despite his differences with the party.
“When colleagues and I started our consultations earlier this year, we made it clear that our goal was not to weaken FDC or the opposition as some claimed, but to gain clarity on how best we can all contribute to the struggle against the NRM dictatorship,” Muntu said in a statement.
Adding that, “we have so far carried out up to 80% of the planned meetings and hope to conclude the rest as soon as is practically possible. I have mentioned severally that even if these consultations bring us to the conclusion that operating outside of the FDC is the best way forward, we will continue working in partnership with all those seeking political change in this country. What these elections have shown us is that indeed we must value unity of purpose above methods of operation, political party affiliation or personal disagreements.”
“Last week marked yet another great stride towards realigning our nation’s political path towards democracy”.
The people of Rukungiri successfully voted in Hon. Betty Muzanira as their Woman MP, in spite of the many obstacles that the ruling party put in their way.”
Muntu underlines observations that culminated into Muzanira’s exceptional victory.
“As the extent of this win sinks in, we have made a number of reflections and observations that we felt were important to share with you”.
Power Belongs to the People
In an attempt to buy off voters, NRM spent billions of taxpayers’ money in Rukungiri.
In the run up to the elections, they heavily deployed military and police, in a manner similar to that of the Jinja Municipality by-elections a few months ago. General Museveni threatened opposition and as usual, resorted to calling those on the other side of the political spectrum names.
Yet in the face of all these potential sources of intimidation, the people voted their conscience. By courageously standing for what they believed, the people of Rukungiri reaffirmed the most fundamental of constitutional guarantees; that power belongs not to the barrel of the gun, those with access to money or the holders of political offices, but to the citizens of this country.
Unity Is the Key to Success: As it was in Jinja, members of the opposition came together and the result was a win. I would like to especially thank members of other political parties other than FDC, as well as Independents such as Hon. Kyagulanyl for rallying behind Hon. Muzanira. Even within FDC, members with different inclinations put their differences aside to achieve a common goal. It was this unity that enabled us to achieve this victory.”
