FDC refills national executive committee after exodus of leaders
“The former deputy secretary general for research and policy, John Mugabi, joined NUP recently. Former Mawokota South Member of Parliament Yusuf Nsibambi, who was the party legal advisor and deputy president for Buganda region, left to join NRM government and many others."
Former Makindye East MP, Ibrahim Kasozi, who was appointed as the Deputy President Buganda replacing Nsibambi swearing in at Najjanankumbi. (Credit: Isaac Nuwagaba)
KAMPALA - The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president, Patrick Amuriat Oboi, has started rebuilding its national executive committee (NEC) afresh following a significant exodus of experienced leaders in key positions to rival political parties.
In a move to further strengthen the party, Amuriat appointed fresh pillars to galvanise top party leadership and the grassroots by making new appointments in both the mainstream and the youth leadership.
“The FDC party president, in exercise of his constitutional mandate under the party constitution, has filled vacancies that arose in the NEC and the youth league following the departure of former members,” Margaret Wokori Madanda, the FDC deputy president for eastern region, told a weekly press conference on Monday at Najjanankumbi in Kampala.
She said the exit saw key leaders join the rival National Unity Platform (NUP) party, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
“The former deputy secretary general for research and policy, John Mugabi, joined NUP recently. Former Mawokota South Member of Parliament Yusuf Nsibambi, who was the party legal advisor and deputy president for Buganda region, left to join NRM government and many others."
According to Madanda, the fresh appointments were made by the party president in consultation with the party’s working committee of NEC and have been approved by NEC as provided under the party constitution.
Suleiman Marlik Ssaazi is now the FDC secretary for works, replacing Eng. Joseph Bangizi Pai, who joined PFF, while Lillian Lalam has replaced Ssaazi as the deputy secretary for works.
Kats Kalija from Bunyoro has replaced Mugabi as the deputy secretary general in charge of research and policy.
The FDC has since lost several key figures, including 11 MPs who announced they would not contest in the 2026 general elections on the FDC ticket, before joining other parties, with some forming new parties.
Karen Asiimwe was appointed as youth delegate for Western Region and Ivan Masawi appointed as the national youth league treasurer.
In September 2023, prominent leaders, including founding party president, Dr Kizza Besigye, left the FDC amid talk of “dirty money” and moral turpitude, before forming the PFF party.
Despite these challenges, FDC unveiled its 2026-2031 manifesto, focusing on economic reform, job creation, and governance overhaul, with the party promising to restore the independence of key institutions, ensure electoral reforms, and protect civil liberties.
Lillian Lalam, who was appointed Deputy Secretary for Works replacing Ssaazi swearing in at Najjanankumbi. (Credit: Isaac Nuwagaba)
Dialogue
Watching all the recent political events that have been unfolding in the country, the FDC has formed a dialogue committee to meet with President Yoweri Museveni, aiming to de-escalate rising political tensions in Uganda.
The party resolved to convene a dialogue of all opposition political parties to speak with one voice.
“We have seen that nobody can put down President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni singlehandedly and that’s why we need to talk as opposition,” said Robert Centenary, the FDC deputy president for western region.
“To this, the FDC appointed an eight-member committee to spearhead and coordinate this dialogue seeking to reach out to all opposition parties and the Patriotic League of Uganda, which is NRM-leaning, for the good of the country."
Members of the committee include Centenary, FDC elder Kibuka Mukalazi, Obongi MP Kaps Hassan Fungaroo, Soroti City Woman MP Joan Alobo Acom, Kitgum Municipality MP Danis Onekalit Amere, FDC Nakawa chairperson Dr Moses Okwera Mugisha, FDC secretary for mobilisation and organisation Ajuna Daka, and FDC’s secretary for post-conflict and reconstruction, Emmanuel Ongom.