By Our Reporters
Bugweri County MP Abdul Katuntu (of COCASE), who is among the opposition parliamentary leaders that were dropped in the last evening reshuffle, has spoken out saying “this wasn’t a reshuffle but a purge: we have been purged & that’s it. Period.” Katuntu was this morning speaking on the Capital Gang program where he sounded constrained to discuss much about the FDC reshuffle. “What I can tell you is that many of the people that have been purged are FDC founder members & we are going to meet and decide on the way forward. He then listed some of the eminent FDC founder members whom he said were too senior to be dropped from their positions in such a very discourteous way. He gave the example of Regan Okumu (chaired Local Government Committee) and Prof Ogenga Latigo (who was FDC Representative in the Pan-African Parliament). Katuntu didn’t elaborate on what he meant by purging in reference to Patrick Oboi Amuriat’s reshuffle. Katuntu was so careful in his choice of words and avoided referring to POA as Party President. He simply referred to him as ” Mr. Amuriat.” On his part Semujju Nganda, who was retained as Opposition Whip and is also party spokesman, said he was constrained to comment because of clear conflict of interest. “I have been retained as Opposition Whip. I’m also the party spokesman and I’m also a member on one of the internal party Committees that will have to sit and ratify these new changes in the leadership at Parliament,” Semujju Nganda said. Lydia Wanyoto mocked him saying “you have always accused President Museveni of appointing mediocres to cabinet and now you are here your hands are tied.”
Katuntu’s words, though veiled, are not very different from those of Aruu County MP Odonga Otto who says the reshuffle is more reason for him to keep at the departure lounge as he prepares to officially leave FDC in the runner up to 2021 elections. But John Kikonyogo, an FDC founder member, says many are going to be surprised with what Betty Aol can offer. “I have been in FDC long enough and I know all these people. Winnie Kiiza is very good and so is Katuntu but its okay for others to also serve,” says Kikonyogo who has had the opportunity to work with many FDC leaders in Parliament. Kikonyogo says the likes of Mubarak Munyagwa, Moses Kasibante & Aol are likely to benefit from their background as professional teachers and Ugandans could be surprised in the coming months.
Habib Buwembo, another FDC militant, says its wrong for people to write off a person like Francis Mwijukye on grounds of age because even the likes of Bobi Wine that many DPs are now putting their hopes in is also a young man just like Mwijukye. “We can’t say Bobi Wine is material for President which is a much bigger position than Parliamentary Commissioner which you are saying is too big for Mwijukye who is in first term just like Bobi Wine,” says Buwembo who is an FDC firebrand eyeing the Rubaga South MP Seat now held by Comedian Kato Lubwama. In a related development, sections of opposition supporters in Lango have reacted with resentment wondering why non of the party MPs from Lango was given any position in POA’s latest reshuffle. Mulengera news understands that some in Lango feel the likes of Cecilia Ogwal, Jonathan Odur, Charles Angiro Gutmoi and others are senior and have for long been staunch FDC supporters. For comments, call, text or WhatsApp us on 0703164755.
