Beti Kamya slams Besigye’s ‘If I can’t have it, you won’t either spirit which led to FDC split

Beti Kamya, a founding member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), has voiced strong criticism over the formation of a new party, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), by the Katonga Road faction of the FDC led by Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Kamya, who was among the early founders of FDC, expressed disappointment, describing the move as destructive and detrimental to the opposition’s goal of strengthening democracy in Uganda.

In a statement reflecting on the origins of FDC, Kamya highlighted that the party was built on a strong foundation by dedicated reformists, including herself, Winnie Byanyima, Augustine Ruzindana, James Musinguzi, and Mugisha Muntu, who remained committed to its ideals even when things did not align with their expectations.

She lamented the actions of the current Katonga faction, suggesting that newer members like Erias Lukwago and Wasswa Biriggwa were undermining the party’s legacy built over two decades.

“It’s a pity that FDC Katonga has decided to destroy FDC in the spirit of ‘if I can’t have it, you won’t have it either’. It’s such a mean, destructive spirit! If people who really started FDC while Besigye was in exile just walked away when things were not going according to our expectations, how can Besigye allow the Johnnie-come-latelies like Lukwago & Birigwa to destroy a 20-year investment?” Kamya said.

Kamya reflected on the sacrifices made by the founders, including financial contributions to secure the FDC headquarters, noting that many left the party without demanding their investments back because they believed in a strong opposition as vital for democracy. She expressed concern that the current infighting and formation of splinter groups could weaken the opposition’s position and questioned whether the Katonga faction would again blame President Museveni for the fallout, as they have often done in the past.

The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) was officially launched as a new political entity by the Katonga faction, amid accusations that the current FDC leadership at Najjanankumbi, under Patrick Amuriat and Nandala Mafabi, had strayed from the party’s original values. The new party aims to restore the vision of FDC, which has been marred by internal conflicts and accusations of infiltration by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to destabilize the opposition.

FDC was established in 2004 by a group of reformists who broke away from the NRM, with Besigye emerging as a key figure in the struggle against President Museveni’s long-standing rule. Over the years, FDC has positioned itself as a leading opposition force, advocating for democracy, accountability, and good governance in Uganda. However, internal divisions have increasingly plagued the party, culminating in the recent split and the formation of PFF.

As the Katonga faction moves forward with its new party, the broader opposition landscape in Uganda faces challenges of fragmentation and weakened unity. The formation of PFF has sparked debate about the future of opposition politics in the country, as supporters and critics alike grapple with the implications of this division.