The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction is facing pivotal decisions about the party’s future, including the possibility of dissolution and the creation of a new political entity.
The party has proposed dissolving itself and urging members to either form a new party or merge with another viable entity.
This proposal was discussed during the faction's inaugural delegates' conference on August 19, 2024.
The faction recommends extending the current leadership's tenure to manage these transitions, aiming to address ongoing internal challenges.
The FDC is facing a severe leadership crisis, leading to significant internal disruptions and legal battles amidst Uganda's political instability and societal fragmentation.
During the conference, Interim Party President Erias Lukwago outlined the party's recent struggles and resolutions.
The FDC, known for its commitment to democratic governance and social justice, has faced contentious leadership issues since September 2023, resulting in the suspension of key officials.
“The FDC has always been a model of robust internal democracy, but the recent suspension of top officials represents a significant deviation from this constitutional path," Lukwago said.
Despite various attempts to resolve the crisis, logistical challenges and contested legitimacy of internal elections have impeded progress.
“Our Interim Electoral Commission has made strides, establishing party structures in over 80% of districts, showing our members' commitment to the democratic process,” he noted.
Lukwago also mentioned a significant betrayal of party values by some leaders, prompting the National Delegates Conference to consider options from reconciliation to dissolution.
“Our political prisoners, the ‘Kisumu 36,’ continue to suffer in detention due to their involvement in party activities, raising concerns about international law and human rights violations,” he added.
The party's leadership is accused of deviating from its foundational principles, leading to legal and organizational challenges.
According to Kira Municipality legislator Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujju, the faction plans to form its own party, as at least 80% of stakeholders consulted support this proposal.
Ssemujju noted that various names have been proposed for the new party.
At least over 1000 delegates have attended the conference.
The Katonga faction is contemplating forming a new political party following its split from the original FDC. This division arose from accusations that the FDC was promoting the interests of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) led by President Museveni.