[UAH] Muhoozi project: FDC to name key promoters

Muhoozi project: FDC to name key promoters

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SUNDAY, 30 JUNE 2013 21:52

WRITTEN BY DAVID TASH LUMU

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Names of big people who are helping propel Brig Kainerugaba Muhoozi toward a future presidency have been compiled and will be publicly released soon, the opposition FDC has said.

FDC claims the Muhoozi props are NRM cadres placed in key government positions throughout the country—mainly in police and the army. Muhoozi and government have severally denied that a scheme to propel the First Son toward the presidency exists.

The 'Muhoozi project' gained more currency earlier this year, when Gen David Sejusa, who is currently exiled in the UK, wrote, and Daily Monitor published, his controversial letter, demanding an investigation into an alleged assassination plot against officials opposed to the perceived presidential ambitions of Brig Muhoozi . He has since drawn the fury of the army top leadership.

An FDC insider source familiar with the list has told The Observer that ever since Gen Sejusa blew the whistle on the 'Muhoozi project', opposition figures at the FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi tasked the party's research desk, to compile the names and profiles of people behind the project, where they work and how much they earn.

The Observer has learnt that the main aim of the research is to show Ugandans that the 'Muhoozi project' exists, and also disprove government denials. This week, Brig Muhoozi, speaking through the Special Forces Spokesman (SFC) Edson Kwesiga, said the first son's meteoric rise in the UPDF is not a syndicated move by President Museveni to have his son replace him.

"Uganda is not a monarchy where leadership is passed on from father to son. This so-called (Muhoozi) project is a people's creation," read Kwesiga's post on Facebook.

"The power to choose how Uganda is governed lies with Ugandans and not a single individual [President Museveni] as some people would want us to believe," he added.

Ofwono Opondo, the executive director of the Uganda Media Centre, said FDC can go ahead and release the list. "Let them go ahead and release the list of names. We have no problem with that because it is not the first time they are concocting things," he said.

FDC claims that promoters of the 'Muhoozi project' are secretly recruited into various positions of influence to smoothen the road for Muhoozi. When The Observer contacted Wafula Oguttu, the FDC spokesman, he confirmed that the party had endorsed the research but declined to give a particular date when the names would be released.

"It is true. We have been investigating this project and we are going to produce names at an appropriate time," Oguttu  said.

"The Muhoozi project is full of cadres who are well-placed in top jobs where there is money. These are things Museveni should be addressing. This time round, it is not going to be easy," he added.

Oguttu,   however, maintains that FDC has no problem with Muhoozi running for the highest office in the land because he's a Ugandan. However, Oguttu   says that the problem lies in the clandestine way Museveni is trying to impose his son on Ugandans.

Muntu starts campaigns

Meanwhile, The Observer has also established that FDC President Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu has kicked off his campaigns to retain his job and capture the presidency in the 2016 general elections, following a recent reconciliation report that called for fresh elections at all party levels by February 2014.

Sources in FDC have told us that Muntu announced the campaigns at a meeting held at Royal Hot Springs garden in Kasangati, Nangabo sub-county in Kyadondo East, Wakiso district on June 22. During the meeting, Muntu acknowledged there were huge challenges within FDC but also pledged to rebuild the party into a strong force that will anchor his aspiration of taking all elective positions by 2016.

Muntu used the occasion to explain away claims that FDC is split into three factions, one led by Dr Kizza Besigye, Muntu and Nathan Nandala-Mafabi.

Muntu reportedly said that FDC operates within a three-ringed mechanism where himself, who is at the helm, builds capacity, Dr Kizza Besigye mobilises support on the streets and Mafabi leads the charge in Parliament by pushing for electoral reforms.

"We are working together," Muntu reportedly said.

Two cross from NRM to FDC

At the meeting dubbed the "grassroots mobilisation plan", two NRM supporters in Wakiso district crossed to FDC. Latim Mukasa, the former NRM youth chairman of Nangabo, and Abubaker Senfuka, a councillor representing PWDS, were welcomed by Muntu to the FDC fold.

An excited Kyadondo East MP Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda said FDC should aim to recruit more NRM leaning politicians.

dtlumu@observer.ug