Carol Natukunda
27 June 2008
Kampala — Before Dr. Sulaiman Kiggundu was laid to rest, party supporters had already started hush-hush discussions about who would become the new FDC national chairperson. Who will fit in the shoes of Kiggundu, who had Mengo's ear, a big following among Muslims and the small-scale business community? Soon FDC's national executive committee will select an interim chairperson, pending a delegates' conference at the end of the year.
LAST week ended with the death of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) national chairman, Dr. Sulaiman Kiggundu. This leaves Uganda's biggest opposition party in a dilemma, on who will keep it on its feet.
It is no easy task getting an all-round replacement. Kiggundu was a Muganda, which automatically made the party popular in the central region and Kampala - the power base. Being a Muslim also gave him a higher mark among the Islamic community, who hitherto cared less. And at a time of clashes between the Central Government and Buganda Kingdom, Kiggundu reportedly had strong links with some Mengo officials. Above all, the economist-turned politician was famous among little-known traders from the time he was the managing director of Greenland Bank.
So what is the way forward? There are rumours that the party boss, Dr. Kizza Besigye could double as both the president and the national chairman. But the spokesperson, Wafula Oguttu, dismisses these claims as false.
"It is not true and it cannot happen," says Oguttu. "We are planning a delegates' conference by the end of this year and that is when we shall elect a chairperson."
In the short term, however, Oguttu says the executive and the national council will select someone to act as the chairperson, as the party's constitution stipulates.
Although Oguttu would rather not say the likely candidates, speculation is high that the party diehards are vesting their hopes in aggressive officials such as, MPs Sam Njuba (Kyadondo East), Nandala Mafabi (Budadiri East), Beti Kamya (Rubaga North), Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri) and former Army Commander Mugisha Muntu.
Other names in the corridors of power include Prof. Ogenga Latigo, who stands out as diplomatic as Kiggundu, and Reagan Okumu for his earlier interest in the party leadership. Legislators such as Cecilia Ogwal (Dokolo Woman), Ben Wacha (Oyam North) would be potential candidates, but the problem is the law does not allow them to cross to FDC until 2011. So until then, they are stuck in their parties.
Some circles have also named Amanya Mushega, the former education minister, although he has remained conspicuously silent on whether or not he belongs to FDC. Nonetheless, that the party has confidence in him is not a secret. In an earlier interview with Sunday Vision, Besigye said Mushega could be President of Uganda.
This surprised as much as it amused everybody who thought that it would have been a lot better to mention people like Okumu, who had already expressed his interest in leading the party.
At the same time, however, some members are apprehensive and say it is too early to tell.
"We are still mourning, so how can anyone begin talking about succession?" asks Michael Ochula, the Kilak County MP.
Yet, going by what is in the corridors of power, the names that are being fronted are not your run-of-the-mill people.
Take for instance, Njuba. The 66-year-old has been close to destitution and drama for much of his life. He has been to prison thrice; in 1967 when he was demonstrating in Rhodesia, in 1979 for his continued criticism of the government of the day in Uganda and in 1980, while at a Democratic Party rally at the City Square in 1980.
But rather than pull him down, it brought him in the limelight as a man who stands for what he believes in. No wonder, he crossed from the DP, to the Movement and now to FDC without any fear of what people would think of him. His major strength is that he has two traits that are closer to Kiggundu's - he is a Muganda and quite experienced. He is a lawyer by profession and a former justice minister.
But Njuba could be out-competed by Abdu Katuntu, who is Muslim. During a press conference to announce Kiggundu's death recently, Katuntu hinted on the fact that the deceased was an icon among the Muslim community. The party also knows that the Bugweri legislator is a darling across all religions. It is said he is down-to-earth, so much that he lets anyone drive his cars around the trading centre in his constituency. And to the ordinary man, this matters a lot.
Yet tribe and religion aside, the youthful Budadiri West legislator, Nandala Mafabi could be a strong contender. As a chairman of the public accounts committee, Mafabi has seen big shots sweat before him, simply because they failed to give convincing accountability.
At a time when the common man is struggling with the high cost of living, having hundreds of Mafabis is seen as the only way to save the nation from the corrupt hand of public officials.
The legislator is also credited for openly opposing the lifting of the presidential term limit, which is a strong mark, if you are in the opposition. His recent election as chairman of Bugisu Co-operative Union improved his ratings as an eloquent legislator with potential to woo voters. And FDC founder members privately acknowledge that lack of persuasive leaders to win over the population cost them the 2006 election. His only setback perhaps, could be his age, should supporters decide to go by someone who is much older.
Would Mafabi be interested anyway? "We cannot discuss that now, barely days after our chairman's death," Mafabi says.
But some party officials feel that the slot should go to a woman this time round. While some say Salaamu Musumba could do better to convince the masses, others are plotting for Beti Kamya (Rubaga North), arguing that Musumba is on the downward spiral.
According to critics, losing two elections in her own homeland (MP and LC5 Kamuli contest), raised questions about Musumba's ability to win the hearts of the masses. Others say the post she has as the national vice-president of the party is enough.
On the other hand, Kamya is seen as the ideal replacement. In Ugandan opposition politics, anybody who provokes the President is looked at as brave. And that boldness has not been exhibited among many women, apart from Kamya. Her point of strength also lies in the fact that she is from Buganda - the party's stronghold. But it is likely that she could tassel it out with the Kampala Woman MP, Nabilah Sempala, who is not only a Muganda, but also recently seemed to have taken all the publicity when the Police allegedly arrested her over an illegal gathering and nearly undressed her. Moreover, in the opposition, whether good or bad, publicity is all that matters - it is the only way to keep the party's name in the papers.
Another credible challenger could perhaps be Mugisha Muntu. The former army commander may appear a recluse, but as a national mobiliser he is the party's backbone. In a way, he is believed to have more-or-less the same qualities that Kiggundu had - humility and being reconciliatory.
"Despite his military background, he doesn't use force to put his point across," says a source. "He respects everyone. He doesn't shout anyhow; he takes things in a cool manner."
Muntu also represents Uganda on the East African legislative assembly, which gives him a higher mark. His major problem, however, could be that he doesn't seem to talk much, yet in Ugandan politics, you have to be bubbly to make it through.
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