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The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has replaced the old National Executive Committee (NEC) members proposed by party president, Patrick Amuriat Oboi, as a way of cementing cohesion and loyalty in the party.

According to Oboi, who addressed the media early Friday morning before a committee sitting at Najjanankumbi headquarters in Kampala, these positions were created to reinforce and fortify the party leadership, aiming to harness the potential of FDC members at both national and village levels.

“We are still reorganising the party to prepare our teams for 2026 general elections following internal bickering between Najjanankumbi and Katonga faction under Dr Kiiza Besigye,” he said.

Chaired by the deputy president eastern region, Margaret Wokuri Madanda, the new NEC members were sworn in whose positions were created and adopted by the 17th National Council meeting which sat on December 15, 2023.

“Under Article 21(4) of the FDC constitution, which states that, "Deputy Secretaries shall be proposed by the President and approved by the National Council, we are here today to fulfill our office duties."

David Kakama, Deputy Secretary for Presidency swearing in as FDC chief whip presides at Najjanankumbi in Kampala. (Photo by Isaac Nuwagaba)

The oath administered by counsel Yusuf Nsibambi, the Mawokota County South MP and the party chief whip, saw leaders including David Kakama as deputy secretary for presidency, Walid Mulindwa Lubega as deputy secretary for publicity, publications and documentation, Ritah Ayodah as deputy secretary for environment and natural resources, Alfred Chemonges as deputy secretary for elders, James Kaliija Kats as deputy secretary for programs and project development and Vincent Opito sworn in to serve as deputy secretary for agriculture.

FDC’s turmoil between two warring factions escalated last year when an extraordinary delegates meeting convened by former party chairperson Wasswa Birigwa passed a resolution to relieve party president Amuriat Oboi and party secretary general, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, FDC treasurer general Geoffrey Ekanya and chief electoral commissioner, Toterebuka Bamwenda from their office positions.

The quartet was accused of allegedly receiving over sh7b from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party national chairman and the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on a mission to fail the agenda of the opposition during the 2021 general elections.

This caused internal wrangling that left the party split into two separate entities all operating under the FDC party brand name which has continued to confuse the public.