DEATH OF MRS. ALICE NABUGEMBE OGUTTU
With profound sorrow, the FDC announces the untimely passing of one of our esteemed members, Mrs. Alice Nabugembe Oguttu. She was the beloved wife of Rt. Hon. Wafula Ogutu, the former Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Uganda and MP Emeritus for Bukooli Central, Bugiri District. Mrs. Oguttu’s demise occurred in Kampala on June 24th, 2023. Her presence and contributions to the party will be deeply missed.
The FDC party is will actively participate in all arrangements for the burial, extending support and solidarity to the grieving family during this difficult time.
The program to celebrate the life of Mrs. Oguttu is as follows:
- Vigil at Home: A vigil will be held on Wednesday, June 28th, 2023, at 5:30pm in Ntinda.
- Requiem Service: On Thursday, June 29th, 2023, at 10:00am, a requiem service will take place at St. Luke Church of Uganda in Ntinda.
- Travel to Bugiri District: Departure for Bugiri District is scheduled for Thursday, June 29th, 2023, at 2:00pm.
- Burial Ceremony: The burial ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 1st, 2023, in Sanika Village, Nsono Parish, Nankoma sub-county, Bugiri District. The ceremony will commence at 10:00am.
We extend our deepest condolences to Rt. Hon. Wafula Oguttu and his entire family during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn. May they find strength, comfort, and solace in the loving memories they shared and the support of their loved ones.
FDC INTERNAL PROCESSES
We are pleased to inform the general public that our structure elections roadmap has been recently released, and the process is currently underway. While there have been slight adjustments, pushing some events ahead, we want to assure you that the final election date for national leaders remains unchanged.
By November 24th, we will have new leaders in place, starting from the grassroots level all the way to the national level. It is an exciting time as campaigns are in full swing, and as expected, the enthusiasm is palpable. We understand that people have different interests, issues, and opinions regarding the type of leaders they want. This diversity is what democracy stands for, and that is what the FDC stands for, Democracy.
However, we have also taken note of certain members making serious allegations against others during this process. As is customary within the FDC, our constitution has provisions that dictate mechanisms for handling internal conflicts.
At present, a committee of elders headed by Dr. Frank Nabwiso has been established to address these internal conflicts, including the issues surrounding the serious allegations. The committee is diligently working towards resolving these matters, and a comprehensive report will be produced within a month’s time. We urge all members to exercise patience and allow the committee to carry out its responsibilities.
During this period, we kindly request our members to refrain from making further allegations against one another as they compete for different positions. We must remember that we are a family, and we will continue to stand together even after these elections are concluded. Unity and mutual respect should guide our actions as we navigate through this process.
In the meantime, we call upon all members to remain actively engaged in the task of recruiting new members to our party and preparing for the upcoming elections.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the FDC.
DISCONTINUATION OF PROSECUTION IN THE IRON SHEETS SAGA
We express our deep concerns regarding the recent decision made by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to discontinue the prosecution of ministers and other high-ranking officials involved in the iron sheets saga. While we acknowledge the DPP’s authority to close any case, we firmly believe that this particular case is of utmost public interest, and we are disheartened by the outcome.
There exists clear evidence linking these ministers to the possession of the iron sheets in question. In fact, some ministers have even admitted that the iron sheets were found at their residences. As Ugandans who are committed to the fight against corruption, we had hoped that this case, which seemed so straightforward, would be thoroughly investigated and that the senior leaders involved would face prosecution. We believed that a successful prosecution in such a high-profile case would set a precedent for future corruption cases, making them easier to pursue.
The DPP says that some ministers were compelled to return the iron sheets, and this raises further questions. Why would they return something they never took in the first place? The iron sheets were initially taken into government stores, marked as exhibits, yet now we are told that there is insufficient evidence. This inconsistency is deeply troubling to us.
This situation has significant implications, particularly for whistleblowers who take the risk of coming forward with information. If individuals who expose corruption are not met with proper prosecution and accountability, it can deter others from stepping forward in the future. It is only this time when we saw the collaborative efforts of anti-corruption institutions such as the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Inspectorate of Government (IGG), and Statehouse Anti-Corruption Unit and we thought they would do something, only to be ultimately told that the individuals under investigation had no case to answer. This not only undermines the faith of the public but also puts whistleblowers at greater risk.
We urge the DPP to reconsider this decision and revisit the evidence and these officials are held accountable for their actions
We have continuously told the country that Mr. Museveni and his government lacks the commitment to effectively combat corruption, because a significant majority, approximately 90%, of corrupt officials are either personally connected to or have familial ties with Mr. Museveni. That is why we are finding one individual being bigger than an institution.
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY
JOHN KIKONYOGO
FDC DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON