Dr Kizza Besigye, the former President for the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has said more National Resistance Movement (NRM) historical members will leave President Yoweri Museveni and his NRM party to join Amama Mbabazi’s camp.
Besigye says, “Mbabazi is not the only one who is fed up with President Museveni’s one man’s rule but other founding members of NRM are as well not happy with what is currently happening within the party due to the President’s soaring appetite for power.”
He noted that the former Prime Minister’s breakaway from the ruling party is not a small thing since he (Mbabazi) was not only loyal but close to Museveni.
Addressing a gathering at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu town last Friday, Besigye said no one believed him when he said President Museveni does not entertain succession talks.
According to Besigye, the Museveni- Mababazi fallout is good for opposition since it will lead to deep division within the NRM as a party.
Besigye said he was foresighted that is why he left the ruling party long time ago though he came under heavy criticism for jumping the ‘queue’.
The former NRM Political Commissar said right from the 1990s when NRM government started to sink its root after capturing power, President Museveni has never changed.
He adds that after the then NRA now UPDF came into government, nothing has changed since power has not been handed over to the people of Uganda, contrary to what forced them into the jungles of Uganda.
“Power is still stuck in the barrels of the gun and it will require a lot of struggle in order for the citizens to regain control of the power,” Besigye noted.
Mr Richard Todwong, the Deputy Secretary General of NRM says unlike Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), the NRM party has its symbol as a bus and when it has reached a certain stage, others have to jump out and new passengers jump in as the bus continues.
Todwong says, “NRM has become firmer, stronger and grounded than before.”
He says the departure of the former Prime Minister will not split the party because when the top disengages, the bottom will become bigger.
Todwong cited former party members such as Dr Kiiza Besigye, Mr Amanya Mushega, Gen Mugisha Muntu and former Vice President Mr Gilbert Bukenya who left but NRM has remained strong and solid.