Forum for Democratic Change to elect presidential flag-bearer at regional level

POLITICS|PRESIDENTIAL POLLS

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) will elect their presidential flag-bearer at the regional level.

The party says this is aimed at avoiding a huge gathering in one place, to mitigate the likely spread of the coronavirus.

Party spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda said this time round, delegates shall vote in their respective sub-regions in line with the arrangement of the party's electoral commission, to avoid commotion in one place.

He said the voting will take place on the same day in different subregions and results sent to the party headquarters, where the winner will be announced.

The party has 1,210 delegates in 21 sub-regions countrywide.

Addressing journalists at the party's weekly press briefing at the party head offices in Najjanankumbi, Kampala, yesterday, Ssemujju said the presidential aspirants will be given an opportunity to address the delegates at the sub-regional meetings as part of their official campaigns.

"FDC top leadership will convene on Wednesday, to agree on the format of the campaigns. The decision to be taken is whether the two candidates hold joint campaigns or not," he said.

The campaigns or meetings will commence on Monday next week, with the east Buganda sub-region.

Delegates from each sub-region will be converging at one point.

The party's national chairperson, Wasswa Birigwa and president Patrick Amuriat Oboi are contesting for FDC's presidential flag.

However, Ssemujju said the candidates are also allowed to hold separate meetings and any other form of interaction with the delegates.

Ssemujju said the delegates conference shall be held immediately after campaigns, next month. The party also intends to hold a presidential debate.

However, Amuriat has already expressed pessimism over the ability of the opposition to cause regime change in the 2021 general election.

"We do not expect a change in regime. If you expect to participate in 2021 and win, you might suffer a heart attack so we expect nothing good," Amuriat said in July.

"So, for us (FDC), we shall just go in there to use the platform to propel the struggle for mobilisation and civic awareness," he said.