FDC blames infighting for Teso losses in 2016 polls

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leaders in Teso sub-region have conceded that their flag bearers were unable to win during the last year's general election due to infighting amongst the top leaders in the party.

In the election NRM swept Teso at all levels leaving FDC that previously controlled the sub-region trailing in their wake.

The party stalwarts such as Alice Alaso, Eng. Patrick Amuriat, and Ibi Florence Ekwau lost their seats to NRM.

During a meeting in which the party was reflecting on the post 2016 general elections held under the theme ‘Strengthening FDC to Consolidate its Achievements and Enhance Party Cohesion' in Soroti town on Tuesday, the party members voiced their disappointment with top leaders whom they accused of promoting infighting.

"As much as the losers claim that they were rigged, the truth is that FDC members decided to vote for NRM candidates due to our disorganization," David Otaala the FDC chairman Serere district said.

He further explained that in Serere the party ring fenced the position of MPs during primaries kicking out other contenders who had expressed interest.

He wondered why FDC is preaching the gospel of transparency and rule of law when they are not able to put it to practice.

"Why ring fence Parliamentary seats yet our party says that all members are equal? We lost the last election in Serere simply because some members were side-lined," Otaale said.

He stated that the situation was worsened further when two camps rooted for either Dr Kiiza Besigye or party president Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu emerged.

Former party president Dr Kiiza Besigye addressing delegates. Photo by Godfrey Ojore

Paul Omer the Mayor of Soroti Municipality who doubles as the party mobilizer in Soroti district said that since last year, hatred is still being experienced in Teso.

"I was not even informed about this meeting yet am the district mobilizer. What is that? We should stop doing things that way," Omer explained.

John Enomu the Soroti FDC chairman blamed the FDC secretariat for sending people who messed up Teso during last year's elections.

"All the mess originated from the party headquarters but we were initially working together. I appeal to the party President to intervene," Enomu said.

Muntu appealed to the party members to be organized and distance themselves from infighting saying the vice will continue costing the party.

"Don't be surprised when we come to power and then we do the same like this regime. We need to manage our differences amicably," Muntu appealed.

Besigye who emphasized on renewal of his defiance campaign told delegates that the regime is now weak and it was exploring avenues for talks with him.

"Museveni is at its weakest point because of our struggle of defiance that we have been conducting. That is why since 2016 they have been calling us for talks, they have been reaching us for dialogue," Besigye explained.

Government has since dismissed the remarks saying Besigye is doing all this for political "grandstanding and comedy".

About the compensation demand by Iteso for their cattle stolen and other properties lost during the insurgency, Besigye said that the current regime has no plans to pay back the cattle of Iteso.

He urged party members to work as a team so that they can win back the trust of the people of Teso where they lost during the last elections.