Insight into Lukwago's Eight-Point Strategy as FDC President

By Kundu Ronald

Kampala, Uganda: Erias Lukwago, the current interim president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Kampala Lord Mayor, has introduced an eight-step plan to rejuvenate Uganda's once-dominant opposition party.

Lukwago, formerly associated with the Democratic Party (DP), assumed leadership during an extraordinary national delegates' conference held on Tuesday, replacing the suspended Patrick Oboi Amuriat as FDC's head.

This conference, organized by FDC Chairman Wasswa Birigwa, also saw significant changes within the party hierarchy. Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the party's secretary-general, and Geoffrey Ekanya, the treasurer-general, were suspended and replaced by Harold Kaija and Francis Mwijukye, respectively.

Furthermore, the party decided to form an interim Electoral Commission tasked with overseeing impartial internal party elections, suspending the current FDC electoral commission head, Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda, for allegedly conducting "fraudulent" elections.

Speaking to Monitor on Wednesday after assuming the FDC leadership, Lukwago outlined an eight-point plan aimed at restoring the party's credibility and unity.

Lukwago's strategy includes engaging various stakeholders within the party, gathering their input, addressing concerns, and reemphasizing the party's core values. He stressed the need to return to the original mission and vision of "One Uganda, One People."

Additionally, Lukwago highlighted the urgency of revitalizing the party's spirit and confronting the challenges posed by the current regime, which he referred to as "the current gun rule." To achieve this, he intends to lead the party in opposing President Museveni's leadership and reinforcing leadership structures at all levels through transparent internal elections.

Lukwago's plan also involves restoring the integrity of the FDC party constitution and preventing any efforts by the suspended leaders to undermine it.

He aims to establish connections with other change-seeking forces to advance the liberation struggle in Uganda, providing credible and transparent leadership that inspires hope among party members and the public.

"We are preparing a comprehensive plan, as internal arrangements are currently underway, and we will soon unveil a packed program for the next six months," he stated.

In defense of the legitimacy of his leadership, which has faced challenges from the FDC-Najjanankumbi group, Lukwago cited the party constitution, emphasizing that the national chairman holds exclusive authority to convene and preside over the National Council and National Delegates Conference.

He urged the Najjanankumbi-based "former party leadership" to exit gracefully to avoid disgrace.

As Lukwago begins his interim presidency of the once-mighty opposition party, the public is witnessing a division within the party following the decisions made at the National Delegates Conference.

Two factions have emerged: FDC-Katonga Road, led by Lukwago (President), Wasswa Birigwa (Chairman), Dr. Kizza Besigye (Founder), and party spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, among others. On the other hand, the FDC-Najjanankumbi faction is led by Patrick Oboi Amuriat (the suspended President), Nathan Nandala Mafabi (suspended SG), and Geoffrey Ekanya (suspended Treasurer General).

By Thursday afternoon, Patrick Oboi Amuriat had already obtained nomination forms to vie for the position of FDC President, asserting that the Katonga-Road faction's leadership and the outcomes of the delegates' conference are illegitimate and unlawful for the party.