The FDC National Executive Committee-NEC is still divided on how to relate with other opposition parties following the controversial East Africa Legislative Assembly elections. The FDC National Executive Committee met over the weekend to resolve the standoff with DP and UPC but failed to agree of a way forward. Wafula Ogutu, the FDC spokesperson says that the leader of opposition Nandala Mafabi referred the matter to NEC and the management committee.
He says that the management committee then discussed and asked NEC to resolve the matter in consultation with the party President Dr. Kiiza Besigye and Nandala. It was then resolved last week that the party waits to make its final stand until both Dr. Besigye and Nandala return from the United States before the end of this week.
Wafula also reveals that the house was last week too divided with some angry members suggesting that FDC break its ties with the trouble causing parties while other said they can continue working together.
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Nandala Mafabi upon return is expected to give NEC a comprehensive report on his relation with other parties in Parliament. The FDC also notes that during the 2011 general elections both Uganda People’s Congress and Democratic Party rebelled against FDC. This left them with JEEMA, Social Democratic Party and Conservative party. However, after the elections, both DP and UPC rejoined the coalition.
Wafula says it’s on this basis that they want Dr. Besigye who deals with the opposition parties mainly outside Parliament to give them an appraisal on whether it is still worth to relate with DP and UPC.
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Wafula also referred to the meeting held at the UPC party headquarters last year in which it was agreed that DP President Norbert Mao writes a memorandum of understanding which shall dictate how parties relate.
But Mao says the ongoing opposition party wrangles show that they do not have a lot in common. He insists each party should make its own internal decision and get authority before signing any documents adding that he should not be blamed for the confusion.
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Mao describes suggestions that he draft the memorandum of understanding as lame excuses to the chaos saying he does not belong to any other party except the Democratic Party.
