Winnie Kiiza: Why I have quit FDC for Muntu’s ANT

Kasese District Woman MP Winnie Kiiza has explained her decision to officially cross from main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to Mugisha Muntu’s Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).

Muntu, a former FDC president, quit the party to found ANT after losing a 2017 internal election to Patrick Oboi Amuriat.

Consequently, Amuriat shook up the party’s leadership, replacing Kiiza (who Muntu had appointed as leader of opposition in parliament) with Gulu Woman MP Betty Aol Ocan.

Kiiza was one of those MPs expected to cross to Muntu’s ANT, where she now joins fellow legislators Kassiano Wadri (Arua Municipality), Paul Mwiru (Jinja Municipality East) and Gerald Karuhanga (Ntungamo Municipality).

ANT leaders welcomed Kiiza, one of the pioneer members of Reform Agenda that would later join other groups to morph into FDC, at the party headquarters along Buganda Road on August 12.

She said she had decided to join a political party with which she has similar values after about 15 years in which “I have served well and fought the good fight” in FDC.

In the Najjanankumbi-based party, Kiiza held various roles, including heading the party’s women’s league.

“I have done all I could to progress the FDC party and our objectives,” she said.

“While our struggle to liberate our country remains the core objective, our methods are fundamentally different and it is important that I partner with those with whom we agree on ideals and means.”

Weeks ago, Kiiza announced she had quit elective politics, making it clear she would not seek reelection as Kasese Woman MP.

Read: Winnie Kiiza quits elective politics, not standing for Kasese Woman MP seat in 2021

MUNTU PRAISES WINNIE KIIZA IN WELCOME MESSAGE

Fellow Ugandans,

Today, The Alliance for National Transformation had the honour of welcoming into its fold, Hon. Winnie Kiiza the former Leader of Opposition and current Kasese Woman MP.

Hon. Kiiza needs no introduction. A trailblazer in so many respects, she has proven herself a leader of integrity, passionate about serving those she represents and a uniting figure.

In 2016, Hon. Kiiza confided in only a handful of elders that she would not be seeking re-election. After serving with distinction as the Leader of Opposition, she could have stood for any position in Kasese and won without the public ever getting to know of her pledge. In fact, most people wanted her to keep her seat.

Instead, knowing that her word is her bond, she did as she had promised, kept her word and announced she would not be seeking re-election.

In a country where political leaders break their promises for personal gain, Hon. Kiiza stands out as a beaming example of what it means to put #CountryBeforeSelf. In word and deed, she exemplifies everything our party stands for: value-based politics.

We are honoured to count her among our number and would like to thank her for choosing to make The Alliance her home, even as she continues working with all changing-seeking forces to build the Uganda we want.

Welcome Home Hon. Kiiza.