The FDC National Executive Council is to effect a transition plan for the party leadership within the next two weeks. It follows a request by Kiiza Besigye, Forum for Democratic Change president over the weekend to cut short his tenure as the FDC leader. According to Besigye reducing his term will enable the party to find a new leader and allow him find his footing ahead of the next general elections.
Besigye has rejected proposal by some party officials to amend the FDC constitution to allow him stay in office. Wafula Ogutu FDC Information minister says Besigye is confident that he has laid a strong foundation for another leader to take the mantle. He adds that this has been Besigye’s idea since March 2011.
The National Executive Committee will now have to get a replacement by the middle of next year. Dr. Besigye was originally supposed to stay President until 2014. He adds that the decision was made after a two hour discussion and it was agreed that Dr. Besigye will still be available to advice and do party work.
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The National council meeting also condemned the NRM government for mismanaging the economy and triggering off an economic crisis which has caused suffering in the country side. Meanwhile the party has released names of government officials who are allegedly recruiting an army purportedly for the FDC to wage war against government.
Gomboloa Internal officers in Lango have reportedly been contacting FDC leaders telling them about the rebel recruitment. Some of the officials allegedly contacted by Major Bosco Omule, an aide in state house and Levy Okodi include Patrick Omara, Joel Okao, Patrick Ayeal and JJ Odong.
Ogutu says that Omara was called and told that Dr Besigye had sent them 23 guns which are hidden in Alito swamp. The FDC leaders reported the matter to Lango Diocese Bishop Odur John Charles and their clan leaders.
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In Ntungamo FDC officials have allegedly been offered financial inducements to attend meetings purportedly for rebel recruitment. Ogutu said this is a repeat of the creation of the shadowy people’s Redemption Army by government. Colonel Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF spokesman said that he was not yet aware of the alleged rebel recruitment. He also denied knowledge of Major Omule but promised to follow up the matter with the army leadership in Lango to verify the accusations.
