Paul Wanyoto, the Forum for Democratic Change’s (FDC) parliamentary candidate for the general election of 2021, fears expulsion from the organization for endorsing Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s presidential aspirations.
Gen. Kainerugaba’s visit to Mbale City on Sunday was mostly coordinated by Mr. Wanyoto, the party flag bearer for the Northern Division in Mbale City.
Lawyer Mr. Wanyoto is the younger brother of Ms. Lydia Wanyoto, the head of the Women’s League for the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The Bungokho Central MP and chair of the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus (NRM), Mr. Richard Wanda, and the independent woman MP for Mbale City, Ms. Connie Galiwango, also served as coordinators for the Sunday visit.
Mr. Wanyoto declared he will support Gen. Kainerugaba’s president while speaking at St. Andrews Cathedral in Mbale City.
“Should he choose, like he may, to run for the presidency, I pledge to support him. All people have ambitions, I also have ambitions. I would also love to get the presidency but I don’t have capacity and he has the capacity,” he said.
In a tweet from October of last year, Gen. Kainerugaba, a four-star general who is still in active duty, expressed his desire to lead Uganda as president as a way to honor his “Great mother.”
However, there were conflicting reactions to Mr. Wanyoto’s comments, and many people questioned his commitment to the FDC party.
The FDC chairwoman in Mbale City, Ms. Margaret Wokuri Madanda, stated that any party member who participates in activities that are adverse to the party will be immediately dismissed.
“He was part of the organising team and also actively mobilised for Gen Kainerugaba’s visit contrary to the party constitution. I think he has joined the MK group,” Ms Wokuri said, adding that as a party, they remain strong.
The FDC secretary general for Mbale City, Mr. Badru Masaba, called Mr. Wanyoto’s action disappointing and said that they would soon call a meeting and take appropriate action under the direction of the top leadership in Kampala.
However, Mr. Ayub Madoi, a supporter of the FDC, accused the party leadership of interfering with the choice of Mr. Wanyoto as the party’s flag bearer.
“We knew all along that Mr Wanyoto was a mole. He used his money to get the FDC flag for personal interests,” Mr Madoi said.
Mr. Wanyoto, who also serves as the chairman of the Mbale City Land Board, emphasized that he belongs to the FDC and that the MK Project “is a revolution.”