FDC delegates ask Besigye to stand in 2016

By Moses Mulondo

KAMPALA - The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) delegates in Kampala have petitioned former party leader Dr. Kizza Besigye to contest for the party presidential flagbearer in the 2016 elections.

In a press release issued on Friday by one of the delegates (Fred Mutibwa), the delegates said, “As you are aware that FDC is going for presidential flag bearer nominations, we the delegates of Kampala with representatives from other regions have decided to petition Dr. Kiiza Besigye to contest for flagbearer FDC and later on uproot dictator Museveni.”

The delegates argued, “Uganda, Africa and the world at large to acknowledge that Dr. Kiiza Besigye has suffered, and lost almost everything in a bid to bring about democracy, constitutionalism, good governance and respect for human rights.

"These credentials make him the most outstanding Ugandan to liberate us through causing credible free and fair election just like it was with graduated tax and the 2011 stagflation.”

The delegates have also embarked on what they have dubbed Ettoffaali for Besigye, to raise sufficient funds for the former FDC president’s presidential bid.

The leader of opposition in parliament Wafula Oguttu, FDC secretary general, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, and FDC vice chairman for the western region are some of the top FDC stalwarts who have openly pushed for the return of Besigye as the party’s presidential flag bearer considering him as the most popular opposition leader in the country.

In last two delegates’ conferences of last year and last week, Besigye has been accorded a heroic welcome with thunderous applauses and standing ovations, which have sent a clear message that he remains the most popular FDC leader. 

This week on Monday FDC President Gen. Mugisha Muntu officially announced that he would seek to be elected as FDC’s presidential flag bearer in the next party delegates conference in August.

Besigye has contested for presidency thrice; first as candidate for reform Agenda in 2001 and twice as FDC presidential flag bearer in 2006 and 2011 presidential elections.

In the Democratic Alliance (TDA), which was unveiled last week at Hotel Africana to field joint candidates in the 2016 general elections at all levels, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, Dr. Kizza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi are the three major contenders for a joint presidential candidate, according to insiders.


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