FORMER External Security Organisation boss David Pulkol has quit the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and joined the Progressive Alliance Party (PAP) linked to jailed Brig. Henry Tumukunde.

Pulkol cited "mistrust and short-sightedness" among some members of FDC who felt the party would be infiltrated by "moles" from the ruling Movement government.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Monitor at Hotel Africana yesterday, Pulkol said he pulled out of FDC quietly without affecting its growth and operations.

He said his decision to quit followed a meeting with FDC officials in which some officials rejected his proposal to recruit some members of 1996/2001 elect
President Museveni task force (Kakuyege group).

"What I am doing is not a secret. The FDC leadership is well briefed and they are aware. It was their (FDC's) guideline that (the Kakuyege group) joins as individuals or form their own party and later sign a memorandum of understanding with them," Pulkol said.

However, FDC spokesman Wafula Oguttu told Daily Monitor that he was not aware of Pulkol's resignation. "He has not yet returned his party card. He only took time off to do private business," Mr Wafula said.

He said Pulkol was given two options upon joining FDC, to either come as an individual or with a group. He chose to come with a group, that's why he went back to organise PAP. I am sure he will come back," Wafula said.

Asked whether his resignation would not annoy FDC, Pulkol replied, “What choice do they have? They may not be happy but they gave us a guideline.”
Pulkol said some people in FDC did not trust heavyweights who had just quit the Movement like former Internal Affairs Minister Mr Eriya Kategaya and former Army Commander Mugisha Muntu among others.

He said he declined to take up the post for research, information and manifesto affairs. Former Local Government minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali denied being a member of PAP although he said he sympathises with most parties for the sake of building constitutionalism.

"At the moment I am not attached to any party. I am still trying to find my bearings because I would like to play a role in the coming politics," Bidandi said yesterday. He said the NRM had reached a point of no return.

- Monitor -
Sept. 12, 2005