FDC sets date for announcement of 2021 presidential flag bearer

Main Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) says it will announce its candidate for the 2021 presidential election on October 06.

According to party spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the FDC National Council will meet on October 06 to pick a flag bearer.

Acting on behalf of the National Delegates Conference, continued Ssemujju, National Council will choose between Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa.

Amuriat is the current party president while Birigwa is the chairman.

“The FDC National Council comprises District Chairmen and Members of the Nationa Executive Committee,” explained Ssemujju.

“The District Chairmen coming to the Council will first convene delegates from their respective districts to obtain mandate to elect a presidential candidate on their behalf.”

For about a week now, the two contestants have held joint campaigns in Western Uganda.

Already, they have met delegates from Mbarara and Bushenyi (Nkore), Rukungiri, Kanungu and Kabale (Kigezi).

On September 28, they met delegates from Rwenzori sub-region in Kasese Town.

Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi, Electoral Commission Chairman Toterebuka Bamwenda and FDC Vice Chairman for Western Uganda Roland Mugume Kaginda are on the duo’s campaign trail.

On September 29, they will hold a joint campaign in Kampala before heading to Eastern and Northern Uganda for the final campaign stretch.

FDC DECRIES BRIBERY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT NOMINATIONS

Meanwhile, FDC wants Justice Simon Byabakama and his Electoral Commission (EC) investigate claims of irregularities reported in local government aspirants’ nominations.

“These nominations have been poorly conducted especially in urban centres where the number of councilors are obviously high. Candidates have had to sleep at nomination centres in Wakiso, Mukono and other areas. In some extreme cases, candidates have had to bribe security personnel at the gates in order to access returning officers,” said Ssemujju.

“Mid way the exercise in Waksio, the format of nominations changed from first come first serve to allocating days to constituency. Some candidates are up to now without certificate of nominations. Candidates of the NRM by-passed lines and were nominated first just because they are NRM.”

The party also wants the EC to issue “clear and specific guidelines on how campaigns are going to be conducted.”

“We need to know the number of meetings and number of attendees local government candidates are allowed,” demanded Ssemujju.

“Of course the number of people attending MPs and presidential campaigns should be high. The EC must also reign in on Police to stop dispersing campaign meetings.”