{UAH} Pojim/WBK: FDC chairman escapes lynching over Mbabazi - National

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/FDC-chairman-escapes-lynching-over-Mbabazi/-/688334/2872188/-/tk3r5iz/-/index.html

FDC chairman escapes lynching over Mbabazi

In Summary

Unethical. The angry youth say Mr Wasswa Biriggwa used backdoor ways to admit Mr Amama Mbabazi into The Democratic Alliance.

Kampala. FDC chairperson yesterday escaped lynching by an irate youth who demanded an explanation for his role in the admission of presidential aspirant Amama Mbabazi into the Opposition coalition, The Democratic Alliance (TDA). 
Mr Wasswa Biriggwa was accused by the youth who camped at the party's headquarters in Najjanankumbi of being part of a campaign to bring Mr Mbabazi into TDA through backdoor measures.
The development, they said, is meant to undermine the candidature of Dr Kizza Besigye, the FDC party flag bearer. 
Mr Biriggwa was on his way from a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which, among others, discussed two petitions by FDC members demanding answers from the party about its involvement in TDA when the youth attacked him. 
He was saved by the intervention of FDC secretary general Nandala Mafabi who calmed the youth providing time for Mr Biriggwa to escape unhurt.
During the scuffle, one of the youth identified as Mr John Mugisha was rushed to Mirembe Medical Centre after his thumb was bitten by another identified as Mr Ismail Damba. 
The two were on opposing sides with one calling for a stay of FDC in the alliance while the other was calling for the party's exit.
Earlier, the youth, who first held a media briefing, said they were uncomfortable with the way events were unfolding in TDA.
"We still want to remind the officials of TDA that FDC had well organised, free and fair internal elections, where we elected our flag bearer," Mr Thomas Mayanja, an FDC youth delegate, said. 
"Therefore, as the delegates who overwhelmingly voted for him, we would want to see him subjected to the process which is free and fair and any process which depicts deviation from the set rules and regulations makes us, the delegates, uncomfortable," Mr Mayanja added.
The youth opposed to FDC's stay in the alliance, pointed out what they called Mr Mbabazi's failure to adhere to the TDA set deadlines yet they observed that he had been given a leeway by the alliance officials.

FDC not withdrawing 
Tororo County MP Geofrey Ekanya, a supporter of Dr Besigye and one of those aggrieved by what was happening in TDA, confirmed FDC's stay in the alliance.
"We are not pulling out. We are going to work to improve the TDA."
Consultations to admit Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and his Platform for Truth and Justice to TDA kicked off yesterday. 
The Biriggwa-led team charged with the process met the Lukwago team led by Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante.

The FDC NEC yesterday resolved to stay in TDA following a meeting that lasted more than four hours. Two petitions; one by Rukiga County MP Jack Sabiiti and the other by Mr Thomas Kayanja had been filed before the FDC's decision making body. FDC president Mugisha Muntu said the two petitions had been withdrawn after the party representatives in TDA provided sufficient information about the alliance to both the petitioners and NEC members. "There were two petitions by members of the party after hearing what was going on social media. They got anxious and they wrote petitions but basically they were written due to lack of information. When we gave the correct information as to what is happening in TDA, members who had brought the petitions were satisfied and good enough they have withdrawn so we are proceeding," Mr Muntu said.

sdkafeero@ug.nationmedia.com

FDC chairman escapes lynching over Mbabazi - National

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/FDC-chairman-escapes-lynching-over-Mbabazi/-/688334/2872188/-/tk3r5iz/-/index.html

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