What next for Ssemujju after being dropped as FDC chief whip?

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has withdrawn Kira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Semujju Nganda, from the position of party chief whip in parliament and appointed Mawokota South MP, Yusuf Nsibambi to replace him.

The FDC party Secretary General, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, communicated the decision in an August 7th, 2023 letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, and her deputy, Thomas Tayebwa. The letter is copied to the FDC Party President, Patrick Amuriat Oboi, Ssemujju Nganda, and Yusuf Nsibambi.

“In the same vein, we hereby withdraw Hon. Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda as the Party Whip with immediate effect,” reads the letter in part. The decision is said to have been made by the Party Working Committee, which is comprised of the executive.

Nandala confirmed the authenticity of the letter circulating on social media when contacted by Charmar News, saying that the communication is a party decision. He quoted section 6 (1) of the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Act 2006 which states that an opposition party may appoint its chief whip.

The changes come amidst allegations fronted by Ssemujju Nganda alleging that Nandala brought “dirty money” into the opposition party from President Yoweri Museveni with the intention of selling it to the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The allegations first made public by Ssemujju originated from FDC founding president, Dr Kiiza Besigye, who says that he received information in 2020 that Nandala had received Money from the state House.

Ssemujju is a strong believer in Dr Besigye and an ally. It is now not clear what Ssemujju will do but the man who has replaced him has sounded war drums saying he will not tolerate anybody who is out to bring FDC down.

“My first task is to advise both sides to cool down to find a long-lasting solution. I will not support any person in FDC who wants to fail the party we have built for a long time,” Nsibambi told journalists shortly after his appointment.