Dr Kiiza Besigye, the FDC president has advised party officials with intentions of defecting to the ruling party for financial gains to demand upfront payment to avoid frustration. Besigye gave the advice to senior party officials during the 93rd FDC National Executive Committee-NEC meeting held on Wednesday last week at the FDC headquarters.
It follows reports of mounting pressure exerted by state house and its agents on top FDC members to defect to the ruling party, with promises of huge financial returns. During the previous NEC meeting, Salaamu Musumba, the FDC Vice President was accused of receiving over 500 million from NRM stalwart Hassan Bassajabalaba.
Musumba denied the allegations describing them as malicious and meant to damage her reputation. She asked NEC to pronounce itself on the allegations. A committee led by Yusuf Nsibambi, Jackson Kafuzi and the party legal officer Ladislaus Rwakafuzi was set up to investigate the matter and come up with a report.
The committee is yet to release its findings. Now, Toterebuka Bamwenda, the FDC deputy spokesman says that a decision was reached by the party leadership to advice members on how to deal with the pressure to defect to the ruling party. He cites Bukeya Mugumya, the Rakai FDC chairman as one of the officials who crossed to the ruling NRM party early this month because of pressure from state agents.
//Cue in: There is a concern that State…”
Cue out…of all these tricks.
The NEC meeting also agreed that a formal communication be given to members who have official engagements with the state to inform Alice Alaso, the FDC Secretary General through the district leadership. This is because some defectors after being promised appreciation, it does not happen and they end up in worse situations.
//Cue in: Where the intentions are…”
Cue out:…than where you were.
Meanwhile, FDC National Executive Committee also resolved embark on a transition process to elect a new party President. According to the election road map, the party will start the voter’s register display exercise by 7th August and hold presidential candidate nominations on 10th and 11th August 2012.
A National Council meeting is set for 25th September 2012. A notice of a meeting of delegates’ conference will be sent out not later than 16th of October which will lead to the delegate’s conference meeting on 22nd November 2012. Given the increasing districts each other day, Management and NEC have resolved that delegates for the conference remain as of 2010. Vacant positions will not be filled given the financial constraints of the party.
