Sisimuka Uganda executive director Frank Malingumu Gashumba has heaped praise on Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago for leaving Democratic Party (DP) to join main opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
On July 28, Lukwago officially announced his decision to join his close political allies at Najjanankumbi.
This moved has earned Lukwago praise from fellow government critic.
“Ssalongo Erias Lukwago is a true patriot,” Gashumba wrote on Wednesday.
However, Gashumba’s praise for Mayor Lukwago didn’t go well with some people, seemingly from Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi’s National Unity Platform (NUP), who interpreted the remarks as commending the sworn Besigye ally for choosing FDC over NUP.
Gashumba, who was a vocal supporter of Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine during the 2017 by election in Kyadondo East, later surprised many when he refused to endorse the youthful legislator’s presidential bid.
Instead, he preferred four-time presidential candidate Kizza Besigye.
The move has, however, landed him on receiving end of criticism from People Power supporters on social media where he enjoys a large following majorly from Ugandans opposed to President Yoweri Museveni.
As such, he has faced their wrath on numerous occasions, with some often branding him a secret regime apologist who only pretends to be it’s critic.
Lukwago was officially unveiled at the FDC party Headquarters at Najjanankumbi on Tuesday with various media outlets in town reporting that he could be lined up to challenge President Museveni in next year’s general elections should Besigye opt out of the race as it’s likely.
Weeks ago, FDC spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda revealed that Besigye has previously suggested that the party fronts Lukwago as presidential candidate.
While the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) recently chose Museveni as its sole candidate, FDC is reportedly convincing Besigye to challenge Museveni for the fifth time in a row.