Uganda’s leading opposition party, the Forum for Democratic Change(FDC), whose MPs were recently sworn in but have refused to name a Leader of Opposition in Parliament, is to set up a ‘shadow government’ today, a high-ranking party source has told the EagleOnline.
“The party organs are considering various mechanisms. The idea of a shadow cabinet and a shadow parliament is being seriously considered because the current institutions of the system function as mere shells without any substance,” the source said on condition of anonymity.
The source further said that as part of the effort ‘to restore democracy in the country’, a wide range of parallel institutions could be set up in opposition to President Yoweri Museveni’s government.
“Our goal is to restore normality in the country through a firm and bold boycott that would have a clear strategy and be within the democratic framework,” the source added.
The party position was reiterated by the FDC spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, who also confirmed that the party shadow cabinet would be unveiled today.
The Kira Municipality MP also revealed that though the party had declined to name a new Leader of Opposition in Parliament to replace Mr Wafula Oguttu, they were instead going to appoint a ‘Leader of FDC in Parliament’.
He said that there would be “precise activities that will be open for participation to all the progressive forces in the country”, but declined to give any further details.
“Once you have a forest of NRM people the other side, you need a good leader on your side. We’re looking at Parliament as another way of liberating ourselves. We are appointing a person to lead the FDC in Parliament,” he said on NBS TV’s Morning Breeze programme.
“We (FDC) have not boycotted Parliament. We didn’t boycott the presidency and that’s why Kizza Besigye is in prison.
“You choose the title for yourself. You choose what you want to be called,” Ssemujju said about plans to change title of Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
According to Ssemujju Nganda, the FDC is defiant and resolute in disputing the February 18 presidential elections results in which the NRM party under incumbent president Yoweri Museveni was declared victorious.
Indeed, a fortnight ago, FDC’s former presidential candidate Col (rtd) Kizza Besigye was arrested after sharing a video of a mock inauguration on social media. Consequently, he was arraigned in the Moroto and Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Courts on charges of treason and later remanded to Luzira Maximum Prison.
Also, the FDC boss Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu announced that his party would demand for the separation of state and party activities, the existence of a level playing field between the parties, the neutrality of the media, the accuracy of the electoral roll and the possibility of gaining redress through an effective complaints procedure.
