FDC denies cooperation with NRM

By David Muwanga
KAMPALA – The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) at Najjanankumbi has dispelled allegations that the party has a cooperation agreement with the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
At a weekly media briefing held recently at Najjanankumbi, the deputy secretary for publicity Mulindwa
Walid Lubega said on March 25, 2024, “The cabinet reshuffle dispels the false narrative propagated by our colleagues at Katonga that the FDC leadership colluded with the NRM, but the absence of any appointed FDC officials in the cabinet reaffirms that our party has no cooperation agreement with NRM or the President
Museveni,”.
He added that if such collusion had occurred, Mr. Museveni’s influence would have aided the FDC in
rigging the Dokolo by-election in our favor.
He said FDC needs to address the nefarious tactics employed by the NRM to disrupt the elections, for
instance, our team intercepted a Toyota Harrier registration No. UBD 614W, belonging to NRM
operatives, carrying pre-ticked ballot papers, there were also high levels of voter bribery and
intimidation,” he alleged.
He explained that last week, President Yoweri Museveni made several changes in his cabinet, and within
the army, appointing his son as the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) and relocating Gen. Mbandi from his
position at the helm of UPDF to the Ministry of Trade.
“In the FDC, we view the promotion of Mr. Museveni’s son to CDF and the appointment of Patriotic
League of Uganda promoters to key ministerial positions as indicative that the succession plan from Mr.
Museveni to his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is taking shape,”
He added “Uganda now operates under a family rule, with Yoweri Museveni as president, his wife Janet
Kataha Museveni as Minister of Education, his younger brother Salim Saleh as senior presidential advisor
on military matters, his son-in-law Odrek Rwabogo as Special Presidential Advisor, and his son, Gen.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as Chief of Defence Forces”. It is evident that significant strategic decisions for
the country is being made within the family meeting.

He said in a statement issued at the press briefing that the FDC is also alarmed by Mr. Museveni’s
ongoing reduction of cabinet influence, demonstrated by the retention of positions for his allies and the
introduction of new members, dubbed “bavubi,” for his son.
“This bloated cabinet burdens the taxpayer and fails to deliver tangible benefits to Ugandans, rendering
its relevance questionable,”. He said some members have been implicated in criminal activities, such as
the theft of iron sheets, with only a few being relieved of their duties and others remain in cabinet
despite their involvement. If the intention was to combat corruption, all individuals implicated in the
iron sheet scandal should have faced the law.