FDC: Muntu steps aside

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) acting party President, Alice Alaso talking to the New Vision reporter after a working committee meeting at the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party Headquarters in Najjanankumbi on July 11, 2017. Photos by Tony Rujuta

The outgoing Forum for the Democratic Change (FDC) president, Mugisha Muntu, has stepped aside to prepare for the coming party presidential elections.

Alice Alaso has taken over as acting party president to run the party affairs until elections are done.

Speaking to the New Vision at the party headquarters, deputy secretary general, Harold Kaija, said Muntu went on leave as an interested party to reclaim another term.

"Our constitution does want anyone to keep in office when he is also going to stand for the same post. So he sought leave and the person holding office is Alaso.  It helps to avoid conflicts," he noted.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) committee members at the FDC party Headquarters in Najjanankumbi

The nomination of candidates will take place on August 14 and 15 while open campaign will kick off on August 17 and end on November 17 with a delegates' conference, where elections will take place.

Muntu is seeking re-election for his second term which is ending on November 22. So far, two other party members including Nandala Mafabi (Secretary General) and Patrick Amuriat Oboi, have shown interest in the party's top seat. 

Kaija noted that if Muntu wins "he will come back to office, but if he fails, the next president will take over.

He also noted that the former party president, Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye is not eligible to stand again since he served his two constitutional terms. He served from 2005 to 2010 and was re-elected in 2010. However, in 2012, he cut short his term and stepped aside. Subsequent elections brought in Gen. Mugisha Muntu as party president.