KAMPALA – Owek. Joyce Naboosa Ssebugwawo who has been the Deputy President, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has been denounced as a member of the party following her appointment as a minister by President Yoweri Museveni.
Museveni, in his pending approval cabinet, appointed FDC’s Ssebugwawo as the state minister for ICT.
According to FDC party President, Patrick Oboi Amuriat, accepting Museveni’s appointment is contrary to their constitution.
“I can confirm that she has accepted the appointment and as a result has offended Article 12 of the FDC Constitution. She therefore ceases to be a member of FDC and has accordingly voluntarily relinquished her position as Deputy President,” Amuriat said in a statement.
“All of you will appreciate the hard work, sacrifice and commitment that Owek. Joyce Naboosa Ssebugwawo put into the formation, growth and running of the party over the last more than 20 years of her political life. It is this political investment that she has out of her own volition chosen to abandon especially at this time when the struggle to free this country has reach a critical stage and requires all of us. Her decision to leave the party in order to join our tormentor is purely personal and the organs of the FDC were never consulted. She now joins our former colleagues who earlier on parted ways with us leaving behind an even stronger party.”
Amuriat said that although her departure hurts the organization, it will not lead to their disintegration but will rather encourage them to even work harder in pursuit of our goals.
“I wish to appeal to you my dear friends to desist from unnecessary attacks on the person of Owek. Joyce Naboosa Ssebugwawo as this does not add any value to our political mission and is not in our culture as FDC. After consultation with the Organs of the party, I will be appointing a caretaker Deputy President within a period of two weeks to replace her,” he said.
“To Mama Joyce Naboosa Ssebugwawo I wish you well in whatever you hope to achieve for your country using your new assignment. The FDC doors remain open to you and whoever left us before just in case you may wish to return.”
Commenting on several accusations taking rounds on social media following her appointment, Ssebugwawo said that
“We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future.”
“Dear friends in the rush of recent events my name is making rounds on all social media platforms and while am encouraged by the attention I didn’t know I have, I have no power over what I have not produced here just like I haven’t seen anybody who drinks medicine on behalf of his best friend,” she said.
