Soroti, Uganda – A political storm has erupted in Uganda’s opposition ranks after Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Patrick Amuriat launched a scathing attack on National Unity Platform (NUP), accusing Robert Kyagulanyi’s party of “cheap politics” for making unfulfillable promises to Teso war claimants.
The Heart of the Conflict
Amuriat, a former Kumi County MP with deep roots in Teso, took to social media Tuesday with a blistering critique: “This is a mockery of our old people… False agreements and playing mind games on our desperate elders. Cheap politics just!”
His outburst followed Kyagulanyi’s recent Teso tour, where the NUP leader met survivors of 1980s-90s insurgencies and pledged to advocate for their compensation—if NUP takes power in 2026.
But Amuriat dismissed these promises as empty theatrics, comparing NUP’s approach to the NRM’s decades-long failure to deliver reparations.
In a biting local phrase, he accused NUP of “cutting the crab”—perpetuating the same exploitative politics it claims to oppose.
Why This Matters
- Decades of Broken Promises: Teso’s elderly survivors of LRA raids, cattle rustling, and displacement have waited 30+ years for government compensation.
- NRM’s Troubled Record: A Shs150 billion payout plan announced years ago remains mired in corruption claims and bureaucratic delays.
- Opposition In-Fighting: Amuriat’s attack exposes growing FDC-NUP tensions as both vie for moral authority against NRM.
The Political Calculus
Analysts see Amuriat’s aggression as part of a broader FDC struggle to remain relevant amid NUP’s meteoric rise.
“This is about credibility, not just votes,” says political commentator Sarah Bwiino. “FDC feels sidelined in the opposition narrative.”
NUP hasn’t formally responded, but insiders defend their grassroots engagements as necessary to “understand suffering” and build trust.
Yet critics argue that without concrete compensation frameworks, such visits risk retraumatizing communities for political photo-ops.
What Victims Say
“Politicians come, take pictures with us, then disappear,” laments Okello Peter, 73, a Teso cattle raid survivor. “Even Bobi Wine’s team only gave us hope—but hope doesn’t feed grandchildren.”
The Road Ahead
With 2026 elections looming, the clash reveals a bitter truth: Uganda’s war claimants remain pawns in a larger game. As opposition factions spar, the NRM watches—and Teso’s elders keep waiting.
