Gen. Muntu’s move

New Formation

As he unveiled his new outfit dubbed New Formation, Muntu hinted on his vision for leadership, the kind of politics he wishes to see in Uganda, and what distinguishes him from the organisation he had ditched. But he promised to reveal the new formation’s ideology, core values and policy positions, at a later date, possibly in December.

“We will also have public engagements with sector experts,” he said. Muntu revealed that he would not add his name to the long list of individuals who form parties based on reactionary forces since Uganda got independence.

To many watchers, Muntu was not unveiling a new strategy; he was simply putting his old strategy in a new vehicle. For him everything revolves around organisation and structure and he has always talked about building a party from the grassroots.

Many commentators say Muntu has an obsession with being on the national presidential ballot at the next election, but the former army commander says that is not his ultimate goal.

“It does not matter whether it is Amuriat or Dr Besigye,” he says, “if we are there just to compete for the flag in 2021, we will keep fighting.”

Some politicians spoke positively about Muntu’s move.

“Politics is not static,” said Osegge, “When you are operating in an environment, you have to manage it.”

Osegge who is also Chairperson of the powerful Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, said Muntu could be what the opposition in Uganda yearns for; someone who projects a campaign of unifying Ugandans.

She said since she joined national politics in 2010, she has known Muntu to be an accommodative person. Osegge has been Soroti Woman MP since 2011 on the FDC ticket and she said she has information the party is already shopping for a candidates against her.

The current FDC leadership is already exhibiting tendencies of intolerance because of my association with Muntu, she said.

Some MPs often associated with Muntu, including Kira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju, Kampala District Woman MP, Nabbila Naggayi, and Bugweri County MP Abdul Katuntu, were conspicuously absent at the new formation launch. They have since vowed to remain in FDC.

“Creating more platforms for fighting Museveni may not be the solution. Our biggest problem in the opposition has been unity,” Nganda says.

Although many agree that leaving FDC was the right move for Muntu, the question lingering on some minds is how far New Formation can go.

Mbwatekamwa Gaffa of NRM says Muntu’s departure from FDC reveals the crisis in most of Uganda’s political parties.

“Muntu says he could not be listened to, that his views were not respected which is what is happening in my party,” he says.

He is concerned that those who have contrary views are labeled enemies and has some advice for Muntu on this.

“I wish him well so as long as he does not act in the same way as those he was accusing in FDC. He is going to assume his party leadership which can lead to dictatorship. It is unpredictable,” he said.

Mathias Mpuuga, MP for Masaka Municipality representing DP, told The Independent that the success of Muntu’s New Formation will depend on how it is rolled out for it to work.

“What is not in doubt is that the desire for change has never been more pronounced,” he says.

Mobilising

Mpuuga says he hopes Muntu and his team put their energy in mobilising the country because there is a lot of unexplored potential.

“There are so many young people out there who do not have where they belong politically.”