Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Patrick Oboi Amuriat has urged the National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership to move beyond expressions of outrage and adopt decisive action, following the release of images showing Edward Rodgers Sebuufu, better known as Eddie Mutwe, in military custody.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Amuriat directly addressed key NUP figures including party leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, and Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi.
He criticised what he described as an ineffective pattern of lamentation in response to the photo, which was shared by UPDF Commander in Chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
“Lamentations got overboard. @NUP_Ug is the official opposition. You must lead in restoring public trust in Uganda. Crying out here and nothing happens? Act differently. Stella Nyanzi gives a clue,” Amuriat posted.
The emergence of the image—depicting Mutwe, who had been missing for weeks after what the party described as an abduction by security forces—has triggered widespread public outrage online.
But Amuriat’s remarks have added another dimension to the debate, highlighting tensions within the opposition over strategy and leadership.
His comments have stirred reactions across the political spectrum. Some praised him for urging a more proactive approach, while others warned that internal criticism only plays into the hands of the ruling regime.
“We need unity, not division. The opposition must come together to challenge the regime effectively,” one social media user said. Another warned,
“Criticising each other publicly only weakens the opposition's stance. Focus should be on the common goal.”
Amuriat’s frustrations reflect longstanding concerns about coordination within the opposition.
In earlier comments during a meeting of the Democratic Alliance, he expressed disappointment with what he described as NUP’s failure to lead on key political reforms, particularly electoral reform.
“This is something that we had expected our friends from the National Unity Platform (NUP) to be leading,” he said at the time.
He has also repeatedly criticised the lack of a unified strategy among opposition parties and called for a more structured, collective approach to addressing the country’s deepening political challenges.
Political analyst Nicholas Opiyo has similarly noted that without imaginative tactics and grassroots organisation, the opposition risks losing relevance.
“The failure to think outside the box and mobilise the grassroots has seriously weakened the opposition’s effectiveness,” he said.
With the image of Eddie Mutwe galvanising public emotion, Amuriat’s message stands as a stark reminder to the opposition: outrage alone is no longer enough. What comes next, he suggests, must be more than tears—it must be tangible action.