ANT has no working relationship with FDC- Gen Muntu

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | As talks of opposition coalition continue, the Alliance for National Transformation Party-ANT, says it doesn’t have any working relationship with the Forum for Democratic Party-FDC until they reach a point when they are sure that they can trust them.

The ANT National coordinator and founder Gen. Mugisha Muntu told journalists at their offices during an induction training of party coordinators in Buganda that they share all their programs with all forces of change with the exception of FDC.

He said they are working closely with the Democratic Party (DP), Justice Forum (JEEMA) and People Power but not FDC. Muntu quit Uganda’s largest opposition party last year after failing to agree with a faction of FDC members on the kind of strategy that they need to wrestle power from President Yoweri Museveni.

Muntu emphasized development of structures while FDC strongly believed and still does, in defiance. He then formed ANT on March 19, 2019 as an opposition political party. ANT received its certificate of registration as a political party from the Electoral Commission on 25th April 2019.

Muntu says ANT has nothing against FDC but the two have not reached a time to work together. He says the two will start operating together formally at later stages when FDC starts trusting ANT.

He however said although the two parties have no working relationship, ANT respects the decisions and strategies of FDC. He asked members of his party to respect FDC even when they are provoked by some FDC members.

It should be remembered that Muntu was criticized recently for rejecting to sign a petition to the International Criminal Court against President Yoweri Museveni as initiated by the People’s Government led by Col. Kiiza Besigye.

Muntu says that as leaders they have to exercise restraint despite provocation, adding that silence isn’t a moral issue but rather a strategy.

Muntu says ANT is ready to work with all forces of opposition even in forming a coalition. Asked if he would let another person lead in a coalition, Muntu said it’s early to discuss that before even ANT hasn’t voted a flag bearer.

Muntu believes that if ANT is well grounded at the lower levels, they can be able to influence how issues run in government even when they don’t take the presidency.

Nevertheless, some of the members, say that as ANT engages with other parties, it should be the head.

ANT Central region coordinator Ssewava Sserubiri says that even during a coalition with other parties, the ANT president should lead the opposition not the other way round.

However, John Kikonyogo, the Deputy FDC Spokesperson told URN in a phone interview that they are open to all forces of change and have nothing against ANT. He says FDC holds no distrust whatsoever against ANT and is ready to engage even in the coalition talks fronted by DP even when ANT is part of it. He however says currently they have no formal working relationship.

******

URN