FDC report calls for fresh party elections

By Moses Walubiri

The report of the commission instituted by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to solve party squabbles that arose after the hotly contested election last year has recommended fresh polls by 2014 for all party office bearers.

The elections were between the Leader of Opposition, Nandala Mafabi and FDC president Mugisha Muntu.

The report wants a re-run for all party office bearers.

FDC went to the polls in November 2012, when Dr. Kiiza Besigye decided to cut short his term, saying he wanted to boost the image of a new leader ahead of the 2016 general elections.

The ensuing contest, characterised by mudslinging among contestants and senior party officials supporting different camps, divided the party, with the Nandala camp calling for the resignation of party secretary general Alice Alaso, whom they accused of siding with Muntu.

The Nandala camp also faulted Muntu for using disparaging language in the heat of the campaigns – allegedly referring to Nandala as a “hypocrite and platoon commander.”

The commission report released yesterday called for fresh elections for all offices from grassroot to party president in 2014.

The move is aimed at promoting party democracy and help synchronise the term of party president with those of other party positions.

The FDC constitution provides for a five-year term for the party president and deputies as well as four years for the rest of the party positions.

Although the FDC national council allowed Besigye to cut short his term, which began in February 2014, the other offices expired early this year, together with the national delegates conference.

During his interface with the commission, Dr. Besigye, called for fresh party polls in 2014, saying the party president is hanging without supporting institutions.

On the bad blood between Nandala and Alaso, Besigye said the contest for Leader of Opposition left Alaso bruised when she lost out to Nandala because she felt she was the most senior FDC official in parliament.

Augustine Ruzindana, a senior FDC official, said if it was a matter of serving out the reminder of Besigye’s term, then the party would have picked one of his deputies and not called a delegates conference.

FDC national chairman Sam Njuba explained that the report recommendations will be discussed by party organs like the national executive council and national council as the party seeks one direction ahead of 2016.