The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Patrick Oboi Amuriat, has reiterated that the opposition political party has the freedom of entry and exit, and therefore, members leaving to establish a new political party are as provided for by Article 29(1) (e) in the Ugandan constitution.
Article 29(1) (e) states that “Every person shall have the right to freedom to form and join associations or unions, including trade unions and political and other civic organizations.”
"Our colleagues operating at Katonga Road as a pressure group have the option to develop into a fully-fledged political party if they desire, as we do not coerce anyone in FDC. They would not be the first group to leave the Party to form a new one," Amuriat said on Monday at a press conference in Najjanankumbi, Kampala.
"For instance, Hon. Beti Olive Namisango Kamya Turwomwe, a key founding leader, left FDC and established the Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA) in 2010, and our former Party President, Hon. Rtd. Maj. Gen. Gregory Mugisha Muntu formed the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) in 2019," he added.
Amuriat explained that the Party welcomes reconciliation as recommended by the Special Elders Committee report led by Prof. Frank Nabwiso and adopted by the Special National Council sitting on Friday, July 28th, 2023, at the Party Headquarters in Najjanankumbi.
He, however, stated that the Party will not tolerate the use of force. He said: "We are familiar with the operational methods of our colleagues because we have collaborated with them. We will not tolerate anyone using force to remove legally elected Party leaders from the Headquarters.
“If they resort to violence, it will be met with an appropriate response. Violence will not be tolerated, and nobody has a monopoly over it. We will address it decisively. We have been promised and threatened with such attacks many times, such as the “Tujja Tujja,” but it has become a familiar refrain from our colleagues.”
“They are free to do as they wish, but it is our duty to defend the Party. Anyone who attempts to attack us will face equal measures.”