Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) delegates will vote Friday afternoon for their party president at a 7th National Delegates Conference at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Vying for the top position in Uganda’s leading opposition party are incumbent Rtd Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Patrick Amuriat, Moses Byamugisha and Dan Matsiko. ( click to see LIVE RESULTS)
Amuriat’s candidature has been heavily boosted by what many see as support from the party’s top honcho, former president Kizza Besigye. Another main Amuriat campaigner is FDC mobiliser Ingrid Turinawe, who is very close to Besigye and a key member of the defiance camp.
Another contender also seen as a Besigye loyalist, legislator Mubarak Munyagwa even stepped out of the race to throw his weight (if any) behind Amuriat.
The incumbent Muntu remains the favourite in a race that has recently been marred by accusations that he is an NRM mole in FDC, Uganda’s leading opposition party.
“I am a founding member of FDC. In fact, I was one of the people that got the party registered. Once we had done this, we went around recruiting members. It was us that insisted on having Dr. Besigye as our presidential candidate in 2001. Is this what moles do?,” responded Muntu.
Muntu replied his critics with more rhetorical questions.
“I have stood for party presidency flag-bearer. The times I lost, I accepted defeat & convinced my fatigued supporters to put the party interests first & support the victor. If my aim was to distablize the party, wouldn’t the logical thing be to claim the elections were rigged?” adding that “Instead, I have consistently sought to bring our party together and ensure that everyone can say what they believe without fear or intimidation. When people say that I am an NRM mole, what exactly do they mean?”
“How does a mole keep a party united,” he asked, ” even when some would want to see a clear split? Why would a ‘mole’ continue to be at the helm of a party that is causing the regime more grief each day? Of what benefit have all our achievements been to my alleged employer?”
Voting still ongoing at Mandela National stadium. #FDCDecides2017 pic.twitter.com/0XswgdjXie
— #CanaryReports (@canary_mugume) November 24, 2017
#FDCDecides2017 : Voting concludes, next is vote counting.@ntvuganda @MauriceMugisha pic.twitter.com/WgByUdTbxs
— Herbert Zziwa (@zziwaherbert) November 24, 2017
Muntu’s wordz are recorded,bt nothing great s recorded in de last 5yrs o his term. 2gthr 4 amuriar. Oyeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!
I realise that so much greatness is recorded after KBz strong words of aja genda since 2001.
Muntu has always been disrespectful of col besigye and i think its one of the things that caused is downfall from the gelm of the party,,also he failed to deliver his promises as tge party has been to disjointed in the past five years .
Define disjointed!!!
I Pitty For Gen. Muntu for being lost election as my observation fdc party is back sliding, i dont even think dat amuriat will manage de full doze coming teargas! muntu i lost with you, let us support patrick amuriat. FDC WE ARE UNITED.
THANKS for the victory Amuriat, however, he shold become thrice popular for even non itesot to feel a new broom at home