JOYCE NAMUGAMBE
Following the internal conflicts within the Forum for Democratic Party, the National party Chairman has this morning 19 July 2023 been denied access to the party premises to speak to the journalists as he had planned.
The National Chairman Wasswa Biriggwa had invited journalists this morning to address them on issues happening within the party, after the party President Patrick Amuliat Oboi and the Party General Secretary Nathan Nandala Mafabi addressed the press yesterday on 18/07/2023, and gave the current status of the party.
On arriving to the party premises this morning, Biriggwa was denied access, the security informing him that the key for the main gate was misplaced, so they could not open for him to enter.
A few minutes later, he was allowed to enter through the small gate but his car was left outside, and the journalists were locked outside the gate.
In a short while, FDC members arrived and were also not allowed to enter. One of them being the aspiring party president in the coming term Paul Kisambira, has shown concern over the way the Party President is turning the party matters upside down saying, it is a symbol of cowardness.
Another FDC member Ruth Kabayiza has said that the party is totally going off, the fact that the supporters are no longer allowed to accesses their own premises.
As journalists were still outside waiting for the press conference by the National Secretary Wasswa Biriggwa who was still inside, the FDC members were joined by another party member Nkonge Charles who led them to bang the gate demanding for the release of Biriggwa who they said was hijacked.
As a result, bodyguards came out of the party to stop them from the stubborn act, and in so doing, journalists were not spared. Some of them were beaten and their phones were confiscated by the goons which were later returned to them and others were severally hurt.
Among the journalists who were beaten was William Katoloba of Namirembe FM, Waiswa Moses of Radio Busoga, etc.
