Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nandala Mafabi with his supporters at the launch of his campaign at Kasangati ground yesterday. PHOTO BY JOSEPH KIGGUNDU

Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nandala Mafabi officially launched his campaign for the FDC presidency yesterday, with a promise to strengthen party structures, improve communication and step up the search for resources.
However, the highlight of the function in Kasangati, Wakiso District was a call by the chairperson of Mr Mafabi’s taskforce, Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga, that one of the candidates in the race, Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, pulls out and “leave politics to the young generation”.

Maj. Ruranga, who said he had come out of retirement to support Mr Mafabi, added that Maj. Gen. Muntu belonged to the crop of leaders who are currently in charge of the country and should pave way for new blood.
He also claimed that the ruling NRM party was interested in Gen. Muntu’s candidature and possible victory. “Since the FDC opened up this race, people in NRM have been telling us, please vote Muntu because he can reach President Museveni and army generals. Is it correct to get advice from the Movement and are they the right people to advise us?”
Daily Monitor could not reach Gen. Muntu for comment, although he launches his campaign today in Iganga District. The third candidate in the race, Mr Geoffrey Ekanya, is yet to make public his campaign programme.Rukiga County MP Jack Sabiti, while speaking at yesterday’s function, said events in FDC were reminiscent of Uganda in 1980.
“I am proud to nominate Mafabi for FDC presidency and today’s events are significant because it rekindles memories of what happened in 1980 when we launched the same struggle and hoped it would transform the leadership of Uganda.”
Uganda held elections in 1980, which the UPC party was accused of rigging, driving President Yoweri Museveni to the Bush.
On Gen. Muntu, Mr Sabiti said: “Muntu and I are part of the old generation and must now sit down and let the young generation lift us from frustration of Museveni’s leadership. I back Mafabi because he has stood with the party since the days of Reform Agenda and he is a person who has demonstrated that he can deliver. Just look at Bugisu Cooperative Union.”
Mr Mafabi said he would replicate the successes of the FDC party in his home district, Sironko, on a national scale and apologised to people he could have wronged. The FDC party won all three parliamentary seats in Sironko and the LC5 chairpersonship.
Mr Mafabi was in the spotlight after an opposition move to boycott elections to the East African Legislative Assembly failed and he fired a host of shadow cabinet ministers.
rwanambwa@nationmedia.com