FDC POLITICS
The FDC fraternity has just experienced what we called an
ethical dilemma in making a decision to comply with roles of the Opposition in Parliament.
An ethical dilemma occurs when a compelling
circumstance arises where the voice of reason ought to prevail bearing in mind
all the plausible alternatives, and choosing the ones that maximizes benefits,
causes least harm and generally good intentioned for the cause.
Many commentaries arose challenging FDC Party President, Gen Muntu’s
decision to comply with demands to play Opposition in Parliament. FDC has the
largest number of sworn MPs in the 10th Parliament and yet, FDC is
also engulfed in the fight that its Presidential flag bearer won the February
18, 2016 general elections. Gen Muntu says, his party cannot wail over spilled
milk forever and that it is high time they realized that NRM usurped power and
established itself as the ruling party.
Muntu’s fluidity in this compliance may not be something unusual
but the timing matters. Many of the NRM sympathizers in Opposition have already
applauded his decision and lavished Gen. Muntu as the voice of moderation. In
fact, the very reason that a significant section of FDC historicals opposed the
candidature of Dr Kizza Besigye for the last election was also that Gen Muntu
is amiable. However, the Ugandan politics is getting increasingly complex and
devoid of principles.
Uganda no longer has genuine opposition to the government of
President Museveni. Any plausible opposition should organize and claim its
victory after an election. None of the so-called Opposition groups have the
capacity to claim and galvanize their own victories. This is a dilemma because
political parties have lost meaning and sense of purpose
Further, the traditional parties no longer have either the moral
acuity or the capability to generate proper leadership, both within their own
parties and for the country. Internal bickering, snitching, sabotage, slandering,
and sectarian politics have compounded with personal greed to restrict space
for emergence of new leadership. Members
within the opposition are either in pursuit of a career or are in politics to build
houses and obtain luxury. None of them can truly claim to have proper
intentions of a true freedom fighter. The zeal for a free life has been
subordinated with the lust for luxury.
For FDC, it is a bouncing platform where NRM plays its card games,
and where those who have fallen out with NRM come to reload their political
fortunes. In essence, most of the people in FDC are people who are struggling
for personal glory as opposed to legitimate struggle for liberation. They
believe they already liberated the country in 1986. The likes of Ingrid
Turinawe, Kizza Besigye and the committed strugglers are labeled radicals and
treated harshly for fear of this contradiction.
Both UPC and DP are now a variation of NRM. UPC- Akena is in bed
with Mr. Museveni, while UPC-Otunnu is with Amama Mbabazi’s NRM, since JPAM
refuses to denounce the NRM. Then we have DP with a number of its members
working directly with the intelligence networks to snitch and undermine the top
party officials for pittance. In essence, none of the so-called political
parties in Uganda has capacity or genuine interests to remove the dictatorship.
For them, whether NRM or FDC is in power, their privileges remains consolidated.
Preserved!
Given these conundrums, one can say that Dr. Kizza Besigye is a
unique brand of politician. Dr. Besigye is betrayed by his contemporaries for
his bravery and genuine efforts at removing dictatorship.
Since Dr Besigye brand has become bigger than all the opposition
groups combined, he is now more a subject of annihilation by the Opposition
elements than even the establishment.
In submitting to the frauds of Mr. Museveni and taking the role
of Opposition Party, Gen. Muntu can speak tactical language all he wants. Many
will view his move as treacherous to Dr Besigye. At least, FDC could have first
demanded that the state releases KB unconditionally and engages in dialogue to
settle the political dilemma arising out of unresolved electoral reforms for future
elections.
It is just unusual to move on at this critical time when your
leader is in prison, facing treason, or in the absence of electoral reforms.
END
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