Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party officials in Gulu have strongly cautioned its youth wing against resorting to extreme forms of demonstration against former Prime Minister, Mr Amama Mbabazi.
Mbabazi is expected to visit Gulu on the 14th of this month ahead of next year’s planned general elections.
The warning comes on the back of last week’s demonstration staged by youth who claim to be members of National Resistance Movement (NRM) party who marched with a coffin on the shoulders.
Though the youth say they were mocking the political death of Mbabazi, their actions have led to a backlash with both cultural and religious leaders criticizing the young NRM supporters for going against the Acholi norms.
Mr Wilson Oyat Chagga, the Secretary General for party warned that, “We will not condone any kind of acts which conflict with cultural beliefs in the name of denouncing Mbabazi’s ambition to run as a Presidential candidate in the 2016 general elections.”
Chagga warned that any youth who goes against either the cultural or party constitution will not be tolerated since it brings the name of FDC into disrepute.
He said such show of dissatisfaction is not called for and asked the youth not to get involved in the internal democracy within the NRM since they have much work to do in the party that they are subscribed to.
He says the youth should be foresighted and guard against exploitation by politicians who want to use them for selfish interests.
The District FDC party Chairperson, Mr Simon Toolit Akecha says they will not tolerate any kind hooliganism within the party.
Akecha noted that, “Mocking the death of a person who is still alive is abominable under the Acholi culture and FDC is not ready to nurture such extremism among its members.”
He urged the youth who support FDC to attend Mbabazi’s rallies instead of staying away.
According to the FDC Chairperson, by listening to Mbabazi the people of northern Uganda will have the opportunity to ask him the difficult questions that have been lingering on their minds for years such as the issues surrounding mismanagement of Peace Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) funds when Mbabazi was serving as Prime Minister.
Despite the heavy criticisms, Mr Justus Tugume, the lead mobilisers for the demonstration by NRM youth says he has no regrets over his action to take to the street over Mbabazi’s intention to run against President Yoweri Museveni in next year’s general elections.
