The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), a prominent opposition party in Uganda, has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for the upcoming elections of its National Executive Committee (NEC) members.
Speaking to journalists at their headquarters in Najjanankumbi, the party’s deputy spokesperson, Mr. John Kigonyogo, provided details of the election process.
The process will kick off on September 8, with candidates eligible to pick nomination forms for all 34 positions within the NEC.
These positions include the party president, four deputy presidents, the party national chairperson, four regional chairpersons, the general secretary, general treasurer, and various other roles, such as secretary for mobilization, secretary for information and publicity, secretary for women and youth affairs, secretary for people with disabilities, and legal affairs, among others.
Mr. Kigonyogo emphasized that nominations for NEC members are set to begin soon, and all positions, from the presidency to the secretary for elders, must be filled by October.
Candidates who pick up nomination forms must return them between September 13 and 16, except for positions that are part of the party’s cabinet.
Candidates vying for cabinet positions, including the party president, four deputy presidents, chairpersons, secretary-general, treasurer, and their deputies, should return their forms between September 17 and 18.
The election of NEC members is scheduled to take place during the National Delegates Conference, slated for October 6 at the UMA Show Grounds.
This event will occur just two days before the current leadership’s tenure expires. While the current party president, Mr. Patrick Amuriat, is eligible for re-election, he has not expressed interest in running for another term.
Additionally, Mr. Amuriat has called for a meeting with the party chairman, Mr. Wasswa Birigwa, to resolve the issue of two conflicting national delegates’ conferences.
The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi. If Mr. Birigwa does not attend, the party may proceed with the NEC elections in October.
The party has been facing internal conflicts stemming from two competing national delegates’ conferences, one organized by Mr. Birigwa and the other by the chairperson of the party’s electoral commission.
Both conferences have different agendas and require significant budgets to accommodate over 1,700 delegates from across the country, causing uncertainty among party supporters.
Mr. Birigwa’s conference aims to receive reports from key party figures, while the other conference is focused on electing NEC members and addressing party leadership matters.
The party is working to resolve these conflicts and maintain its unity as it prepares for these important elections.