The wars in one of the country’s top opposition parties- Forum for Democratic Change seems to be too far from over with the news of the sacking of estranged Party Whip in Parliament, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda by Secretary General, Nathan Nandala Mafaabi.
In the August, 7 notice to the Speaker of Parliament, Nandala indicated that the party has decided to fire Nganda and ultimately replace him with Yusuf Nsibambi whose appointment, the letter said, begins with immediate effect.
The development comes at a time when the Najjanankumbi outfit are embroiled in a never ending scandal christened- ” the evil money scandal” which emanates from reports that Nandala Mafaabi, as Secretary General secured large sums of money from State House in the run up to the 2021 General elections during which Party President, Amuriat Patrick Oboi was flag bearer for the Presidency.
Similarly, Nandala and company accuse founding father figure, Besigye of neglecting POA in 2021, at a time they desperately needed him. Besigye systematically stayed away from the POA adventure, something for which Nandala is unapologetically not ready to forgive him. Besigye, however, states that his actions were prompted by intelligence about receipt of the evil money which could not permit his conscience to Darren his hands.
Efforts towards de-escalation have continued, though with no tangible results, but will continue nonetheless, according to inside sources.
The sacking of Nganda, one of the ringleaders of the ” Nandala out” group indicates that the leadership determined for an all out war and that the situation could have reached to a point of no return. It points towards Nandala’s first bold step to tighten his grip on Najjanankumbi by pruning the party of dissenters. It could also spell the beginning of a long purge against opposition to the leadership.
The move has also been interpreted as the beginning of apoltracted attempt by Nandala and Amuriat to solidify their influence over the party ahead of the preparations for the delegates conference scheduled for later this year where the new leadership will be elected to run the party for the next five years. Its believed that Nandala, who is believed to be intent on retaining the SG position has set his eyes on the Presidency in the 2026 General elections as the FDC flag bearer. Amuriat will then keep the party Presidency.
The sacking of Nganda could also be just the beginning of the purge that could see many more high profile leaders opposed to Nandala flushed out at Najjankumbi.
If reports that Nandala and company indeed intend to weave a working arrangement with President Museveni akin to those attained by Jimmy Akena and Norbert Moa on behalf of Uganda people’s Congress(UPC) and Democratic Party (DP) respectively, then it looks increasingly possible that the Budadiri West MP is right on the road to attaining the grand goal.
We may soon witness another high profile opposition leader join the dining table with President Museveni in Cabinet akin to the arrangement that saw Norbert Mao scoop the juicy Justice and Constitutional Affairs docket in exchange for ceasing hostility against the Museveni administration.
