Besigye Rejects Elders’ Committee Report on Alleged “Dirty” Money in FDC

Dr Kizza Besigye, a founding member of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), has utterly rejected the findings of the Elders’ Committee report investigating allegations of tainted funds infiltrating the party.

The committee, headed by Dr Frank Nabwiso, was established in response to Besigye’s assertion that Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the FDC Secretary General, introduced questionable funds from the State House into the party.

Besigye’s claims emerged after Nandala entrusted him with Shillings 300 million and granted an additional Shillings 280 million to the party’s president, Eng Patrick Oboi Amuriat. Nandala reportedly explained that the money was sourced from his account to address potential complications arising from pending tax issues tied to his businesses, which he believed Uganda Revenue Authority might seize.

In light of Besigye’s allegations, the FDC leadership initiated an investigative committee in May 2023 to probe the matter. By July 2023, the committee had presented its findings to party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat. The report was subsequently tabled during a special National Council session held on July 28, 2023.

However, Dr. Besigye has voiced his dissatisfaction with the investigative process, asserting that the central issue he raised about the alleged “dirty” money was sidestepped in favor of seeking reconciliation between him and Nandala.

The former party president clarified that his objections were not personal, rendering the committee’s reconciliation efforts irrelevant. Speaking to journalists at his People’s Government offices on Katonga Road, Besigye dismissed the report’s credibility, suggesting it was not even worth the paper it was printed on.

Besigye criticized the investigation’s trajectory, highlighting issues with the committee’s appointment. Following his revelations concerning the contested funds, the decision to create an investigative committee was made during a National Council session in November 2022. However, the committee’s formation was delayed by six months.

He indicated that this delay was attributed to a debate about whether the committee should be appointed by the National Committee or by party President Amuriat.

Ultimately, Amuriat established a seven-member committee, which gained approval from the FDC National Executive Committee-NEC. Besigye questioned the legitimacy of an inquiry led by someone who had himself received part of the contested funds.

He pointed out that during the committee’s inauguration, as outlined in the report, Amuriat emphasized that their primary objective was to facilitate reconciliation between the two party leaders.

Besigye further lambasted the committee for its perceived bias, claiming that one committee member resigned due to discrepancies in the recording of meetings. Allegedly, the committee secretary, who was appointed by Nandala, inaccurately documented proceedings. He contended that some of his perspectives were omitted from the report.

Besigye asserted that the party was currently under pressure and called upon members to step up and salvage it. He noted plans by dissatisfied party members to mobilize and rescue the party. He also stated that the People’s Government, a political movement he leads, would endeavour to save both the FDC and, on a larger scale, the country.

The dispute over the contested funds surfaced publicly last month amidst internal elections within the party. Some members demanded a halt to the elections until internal conflicts were resolved and the party’s Electoral Commission was better organized. Despite this, Amuriat, Nandala, and their supporters insisted on proceeding with the elections, which reportedly began on July 21, 2023.

Besigye dismissed the legitimacy of these elections, asserting that media reports suggested they had not taken place as claimed. He expressed a desire for the party’s National Council to convene again, suggesting the establishment of a transitional leadership to guide the party towards credible elections.

He proposed that this transitional body initiate a forensic audit of party resources and oversee general management practices.

Via URN