The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has dismissed, as wishful thinking, a one-to-one strategy broached by Democratic Party (DP) ahead of the 2021 presidential elections.
The strategy that would see all opposition parties’ field a single candidate against National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates across the country was presented by DP last month. DP argued that candidates would be chosen from a party that is strong in the region.
But FDC president Patrick Oboi Amuriat faulted DP for launching its plan, which involves portioning Uganda into zones and allocating them to political parties without consulting FDC. He urged FDC members to ignore the DP plan. Amuriat was addressing a retreat of FDC National Executive Committee (NEC), standing committees, selected district chairpersons and MPs at the FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi.
Amuriat said that as political parties prepare for 2021 general elections, FDC will not be deliberate on a programme adding that the party’s daily struggle is to overwhelm President Museveni and push him out of power before next elections.
“We are not going to be deliberate on the road map for elections. This is part of our struggle that we have always involved in. It’s a struggle that does not need an agenda,” he said. “But if we must get to the election of 2021, we are going to that election by defiance,” he added.
Amuriat said the party will hold internal elections to fill all party structures ahead of the national delegates’ conference. He said the party will also be identifying candidates who will carry party flag in 2021.
Army Promotions
Amuriat added that FDC had observed that there were illegalities in the army promotions announced last week when President Yoweri Museveni promoted more than 2000 officers and men of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel to various ranks.
Those promoted to Generals include Lt Gen Ivan Koreta, and Lt Gen Joram Mugume while Pecos Kutesa, John Mugume, Proscovia Nalweyiso, Charles Awany Otema, James Nakibus Lakara, Peter Elwelu, and Muhoozi Kainerugaba who have been promoted from Maj. Gen to Lt Gen.
Amuriat says the promotions did not reflect a national character. It was a clan promotion, he claimed.
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