Not now, may be after 2021 elections: Amuriat opens up on why FDC won’t form coalition with Bobi Wine’s NUP

Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President Patrick Oboi Amuriat has told delegates in Rwenzori sub-region that the party will not unite with Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP).

On September 29, Amuriat and party chairman Wasswa Biriggwa met delegates in a joint meeting at Rwenzori International Hotel in Kasese.

Amuriat and Biriggwa are contending for the 2021 presidential flag bearer position for the main opposition party.

The duo are seeking to fit in the shoes of main opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye who declined the party’s request to stand in 2021.

Besigye, a former physician for incumbent president Yoweri Museveni in the bush war that brought the current National Resistance Movement (NRM) government to power, has challenged his former boss in four presidential polls.

In three of these, Besigye was the flag bearer for the FDC three times in a row – save for the 2001 race, his first attempt at the country’s top seat.

FDC is expected to announce its flag bearer on October 06.

AMURIAT ON FDC-NUP COALITION

Speaking to delegates in Kasese Town, Amuriat ruled out any chances of an alliance between the Najjanankumbi-based party and the Kamwokya-based NUP and People Power pressure group.

“We would not make an alliance with people power, the pressure group that was not legally recognized, with no structures,” said Amuriat.

“Even when it changed under NUP, it is still in courts of law and its fate is not known; that’s the reason we in FDC can’t be part of them.”

 Amuriat further emphasized that alliances should not focus on how opposition politicians can share positions, but rather on how to defeat Museveni and his NRM government.

He also revealed that FDC would unite with NUP or any other party after the 2021 polls.

“We cannot form a coalition at this time,” he said. “If it is to be done, it must be after the elections and it must be there for regime change but not power sharing.”

In June 2020, some had hoped that Besigye and Bobi Wine would unite, but the former declined to stand again.

He also didn’t publically endorse the Kyadondo East MP but pledged to support a candidate that his FDC party will pick.

On June 15, Besigye, Bobi Wine and other members of the political opposition unveiled a loose coalition platform dubbed United Forces of Changes.

They even launched a joint campaign called ‘No, Nedda’ meant to demand better services and freedoms.

They called upon Ugandans “to rise up and defend themselves against a regime which has used the Covid19 situation to enrich itself at the expense of Ugandans and to entrench themselves further.”

But Besigye made it clear this unity platform was not about the 2021 presidential election.