Amuriat calls for fresh blood as FDC post-election rebuild begins

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Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Patrick Oboi Amuriat has called for unity, innovation and grassroots reorganisation as the party grapples with a dramatic reduction in parliamentary seats following the recent general elections.

Speaking during a two-day induction and orientation retreat for newly elected FDC Members of Parliament at Mountain Inn, Kiyindi landing site in Buikwe district on May 10, 2026, Amuriat acknowledged the party’s setbacks but insisted that FDC remains a relevant national force with countrywide structures.

FDC Party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat (right) addressing FDC-elect Member of Parliament during a retreat at Mountain Inn at Kiyindi landing site in Buikwe district on May 10th. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

“In this election, it was not an election. It was a military operation. It was an economic war,” Amuriat stated.

He noted that FDC’s representation in Parliament has dropped sharply from 32 seats in the 11th Parliament to nine in the incoming 12th Parliament, which will have 529 elected members.

The FDC leader highlighted multiple challenges facing the party, including internal divisions, defections, political fatigue, weak grassroots structures and suppressed funding.

He pointed out that the government's financial contribution to the party will fall to less than one-third of current levels due to the reduced numbers.

Amuriat thanked MPs from the previous Parliament for their personal financial contributions to keep party activities afloat despite heavy constituency demands.

Call for internal solidarity, fresh leadership

Amuriat urged members to support one another’s businesses as a way of building economic resilience within the party.

He cited specific examples, including patronising hotels owned by colleagues and buying products from members engaged in manufacturing.

FDC Party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat (right) and FDC Party chairman Nathan Nandala Mafabi (left) in a group photograph during a retreat at Mountain Inn at Kiyindi landing site in Buikwe district on May 10th. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

The party president stressed the need to attract new talent and prepare fresh leadership, noting that both he and party chairman Nathan Nandala Mafabi have limited time left at the helm.

“We need fresh legs. We need fresh blood,” he said, while cautioning against handing leadership to jokers who are going to give away this political organisation.

He appealed for the return of members who had defected or made statements damaging to the party, including those associated with FDC’s former deputy chairperson for the Buganda region, Yusuf Nsibambi.

Open to genuine dialogue

FDC announced it will not attend President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony at Kololo, describing the election as lacking legitimacy.

“We are not going to be part of the group that will add credence to the next five years of Museveni rule,” Amuriat said. The party will, however, attend the swearing-in of its own Members of Parliament.

While open to dialogue and reconciliation, the FDC insists it must be on equal terms and preceded by a truth-telling process.

Amuriat dismissed recent overtures from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) as window dressing and a public relations stunt aimed at impressing diplomats and international media.

Quality over quantity

Newly elected MPs emphasised that their smaller numbers would not diminish their impact.

Moses Okia Atan, MP-elect for Soroti East Division, described the 12th Parliament as a transition Parliament given Museveni’s age, and shared lessons from protecting votes during the election.

“This is a transition parliament. By virtue of nature and biology, the current president is tending to the evening of his life. We must tactfully manoeuvre to give this country direction,” Atan said.

Hassan Kaps Fungaro, FDC deputy president and MP-elect for Obongi, said success in Parliament would depend on the quality of debate and cooperation with like-minded legislators across parties, including independents and objective NRM members, to provide checks and balances against corruption and misrule.

Soroti City Woman MP Joan Acom Alobo, known locally as “Arrow Girl”, echoed this, stating: “I don’t believe in numbers. I believe in quality.”

She expressed confidence that the FDC’s national reach and organised approach would enable it to push a strong legislative agenda.

FDC-elect Members of Parliament and working committee members in a group photograph during a retreat at Mountain Inn at Kiyindi landing site in Buikwe district on May 10th. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

Soroti District Woman MP Anna Adeke Ebaju echoed concerns about Uganda’s political future after more than 40 years of NRM rule, saying the party intends to contribute meaningfully to national discussions on leadership transition.

Way forward

The retreat focused on induction into party values, strategising for the new Parliament swearing-in scheduled for May 13–15, and fundraising.

Party leaders committed to strengthening structures from the grassroots, reclaiming lost supporters and developing new ways to engage citizens beyond traditional street activism, which they say has been made difficult by state responses.

Amuriat concluded by reminding members to remain subordinate to the party constitution, stressing that leaders come and go, but the FDC must endure.

The gathering comes as FDC positions itself to regain public confidence and emerge as a serious contender ahead of future elections.