[UAH] FDC’s Mugisha Muntu, Nandala-Mafabi reunite
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2:19 AM |
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For the first time in eight months, FDC President Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu and his rival for the job in the 2012 party's presidential race, Nathan Nandal- Mafabi, sat in the same office, around the same table.
The two even addressed the same meeting at FDC's head office in Najjanankumbi on Monday, raising hope that they have finally buried the hatchet. Our sources in the meeting said the two principals agreed to leave the divisive election behind and focus on moving the party forward.
Mafabi was returning to the FDC headquarters for the first time since last December. He went to attend a meeting called by Gen Muntu as part of an effort to set up an interim committee that would review the 23-page report on the controversial elections.
Prior to this meeting, Mafabi had chosen to work in Parliament and at his office in Naguru, which was interpreted by some people as breaking away.
Speaking to The Observer on Thursday, Mafabi confirmed the development, but argued that for the alliance to work properly, it would require fresh elections. He pointed out that Muntu came in through a by-election after Dr Kizza Besigye decided to cut short his tenure as party president.
"Yes, on Monday I was at our party headquarters for a meeting. I don't have any problem with Muntu's election. I conceded and moved on," he said.
Mafabi added that the ultimate goal was to unite the party and prepare for the 2016 elections.
"What we want is to harmonise the terms of reference. We went into a by-election when Dr Besigye left before finishing his term. So, a new election will be in order when Besigye's term [which Muntu is completing] is over," Mafabi argued.
The Observer has learnt that the interim committee set up to evaluate the presidential election report is meant to smoothen the rough edges of the post-election row and build on that to rally Ugandans to their side ahead of 2016.
The committee, which aims to end the damaging personal feud between Mafabi and secretary general Alice Alaso, is overseen by Muntu and deputy secretary general Augustine Ruzindana, among other party officials.
FDC spokesman Wafula Oguttu said ending the in-fighting will brighten the opposition's chances of capturing power in 2016.
"Yes, that is what makes us proud to belong to FDC. Always managing to address internal contradictions at a roundtable and coming out stronger. This is what I am seeing coming out of the meeting," Oguttu said.
Oguttu told The Observer that Muntu and Mafabi agreed on the modalities the committee would use to scrutinise the report and pledged to unite. Francis Mwijukye, a member of the FDC publicity committee, expressed satisfaction that both men had agreed to initiate a healing mechanism.
"The reconciliation committee came out with a report and the two teams have agreed to move forward. They are progressing well; this is a process. People should know that peace-building is a process, not an event. What is important is how you go about it," Mwijukye said.
The two leaders have been engaged in different but equally important agendas in their bid to dislodge NRM from power. While Muntu is busy mobilising for support at the grassroots, Mafabi is pushing for electoral reforms in Parliament.
"Muntu is meeting all political leaders across the board. What he is doing is not for the media; that is why people say that he is not vibrant. But they should know that something is cooking," Mwijukye said.
Explaining his political strategy and in reaction to critics who say he is not visible, Muntu on July 6 told civil society youth at Hotel Africana that unless a leader builds grassroots structures and attracts credible leaders at all levels, they would be floating in space.
"Of course any politician would want limelight, but it is a matter of choosing priorities and you focus on them regardless of what others are saying," he said.
As Muntu and Mafabi pursue mobilisation and electoral reform respectively, former party leader Dr Kizza Besigye is rallying people to rise up against the regime. The FDC election probe committee was chaired by a lawyer cum activist, Ladislaus Rwakafuzi. Members were, Peter Sempala, Athanasius Rutaroh, Elizabeth Abongo, Abed Nasser Mudiobole and Stephen Okwalinga.
On the way forward, the report recommended fresh elections.
"The party presidency is hanging without supporting institutions. Therefore, the practical thing might be to prepare grassroots elections for fresh delegates and office-bearers and then for party president by February 2014," Besigye suggested.
Oguttu told us that the interim committee would look into the efficacy of implementing this recommendation.dtlumu@observer.ug
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H.OGWAPITI
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