FDC makes U-turn on errant members

PIC: FDC party president Patrick Amuriat addressed a press conference at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi in Kampala on Monday. (Credit: MarY Kansiime)

POLITICS

KAMPALA - The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leading Opposition party has made a U-turn on disciplining its errant members.

Party president Patrick Amuriat said they will not discipline any member who supported another candidate in the recently-concluded Arua Municipality by-election.

The hotly-contested poll that sought to fill the seat left vacant after the murder of MP Ibrahim Abiriga in June, featured 12 candidates.

Kassiano Wadri, who ran on an independent ticket, was the eventual winner of a race involving five other independent hopefuls.

FDC flagbearer Bruce Musema was third-best, behind NRM's Nusura Tiperu and Wadri.

"We do not contemplate any disciplinary action against those who defied the party principles. We shall continue engaging them," Amuriat told an FDC weekly press briefing on Monday in Kampala.

He said MP-elect Wadri, who has previously served as Terego County MP, is free to return to the Opposition party.

"Wadri was a member of this party and he knows the process of returning to the party if he wants. We supported our candidate on principle, but we congratulate Wadri for winning the seat," Amuriat told reporters.

Last week, FDC threatened to summon former party president Gen. Mugisha Muntu for defying party principles when he decided to back Wadri.

At the same briefing, Amuriat said they want all suspects arrested in the aftermath of the Arua by-election to be released unconditionally.