Opposition struggles to reconcile Lukwago with Kidandala

Opposition struggles  to reconcile

Lukwago with Kidandala

KAMPALA.The opposition members last week convened a closed -door meeting where they discuss means of how they can reunite embattled Kampala Lord Mayor with his deputy Sulaiman Kidandala.

Mr Erias Lukwago fallen out with Mr Kidandala last month, with the latter accused of plotting to oust the former from City Hall, home of the Kampala Capital City Authority.

The meeting took place at Katonga road at the offices of the   For God and my Country (4GC) pressure group, last Wednesday and the former Forum for Democratic Change Dr Kizza Besigye reportedly chaired the meeting.

It was reportedly attended by Dr Besigye, Ibrahim Ssemujju, Ingrid Turinawe, Mr Asuman Basalirwa; Moses  Kasibante, Democratic Party spokesperson Mr Kenneth Kakande, Kawempe Division Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa and Kampala Disctrict DP chairperson  Vincent Mayanja.

Although the meeting’s main agenda, according to officials, was to find mechanisms to reconcile Lukwago and Kidandala, members also reportedly listened to recordings of the Kayihura tapes.

It is alleged that some members after listening to the one and half hour recordings, they disagreed on what action to take against Kidandala.

“Some members suggested that the opposition summon Kidandala to a meeting which will be attended by Mr Lukwago,” the source said. “However, others suggested that they launch a smear campaign against Kidandala, but Ssemujju and Basalirwa contested this proposal arguing that the opposition would look like targeting an individual and could split the unconsolidated opposition even more.,” the source said.

Mr Ssemujju , who attended the meeting said a number of issues were discussed in the meeting.

“We discussed a number of issues including a discussion on Kidandala, but we never discussed anything to do with a smear campaign against him, it not true,” Mr Ssemujju said in a telephone interview.

Dr Besigye yesterday was not available for a comment, however, he told Daily Monitor’s Erias Mukiibi on Saturday night that the meeting took place, but could not discuss details of the meeting as he was a central player in the discussion.

When asked about the meeting, Mr Lukwago said he did not attend it, however, recently at press briefing where he sacked Kidandala, Lukwago said he would give him a second chance to reform.

Kidandala said he had heard some rumours about the meeting, but refused to comment on what he heard, despite that he earlier in an interview with newspaper, said he had no interest in taking up the Lord Mayor’s seat.

Mr Basalirwa said details of the meetings will be communicated at a press conference slatted for tomorrow ( Wednesday).

Background

There have been some reports that Kidandala was likely to be installed as Lord Mayor at a meeting convened by KCCA executive director Jennifer Musisi in Entebbe, but this never came to pass . Similar allegations have been made that Kidandala was set to chair the forum of Mayors who converged recently in Kampala.