Birigwa to head Amuriat's campaign team

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag-bearer, Eng. Patrick Amuriat Oboi, has named his party national chairman as head of his campaign team ahead of the 2021 election.

Amuriat, who also doubles as party president, was endorsed by the National Council at the party headquarters last week, after his opponent Wasswa Birigwa (the party national chairman) unexpectedly withdrew from the race on voting day.

Birigwa said he had opted to step down so as not to divide the party like had happened during previous party polls.

Addressing journalists during the party's weekly press briefing, Amuriat said he wanted a formidable team to run his campaign countrywide.

Birigwa was appointed the director general of campaigns, incumbent MP Rukungiri Municipality Roland Kaginda Mugume as the national field co-ordinator and Albert Okello Oduman, the executive director of the campaign bureau.

Amuriat stressed that after consultations with the FDC leadership, he had found Birigwa fit to head the team.

"These are eminent citizens who have been tested. I do not have any doubt they will be up to the task of putting in place a robust campaign team," he added.

Campaign bureau

The team, Amuriat said, is expected to set up a campaign bureau and other structures. The team will also help in setting up fundraising platforms to generate funds that will lubricate the gears that will run this campaign.

Amuriat said a complete team will be unveiled on October 19, after the necessary approval and guidance from the party leadership.

"We are already collecting signatures to support our nomination of the presidential flag-bearer as required by the Electoral Commission. We instruct all field offices to return signed nomination forms not later than the end of the week," he said.

Amuriat revealed that he will commence countrywide mobilisation on October 17.

"During this exercise I will interact with the party leaders, supporters and nominated candidates. The exercise will climax with a grand homecoming in Soroti," he added.

He said they also intend to visit cultural and religious institutions to strengthen their bond and seek counsel.

In defence of candidature

At the same briefing Amuriat, said many still think that he is a weak candidate who cannot fit in Col Dr Kizza Besigye's shoes, which he said was not the case. He acknowledged that Besigye was the biggest political drum in the country, which cannot be ignored.

Amuriat said they are going to continue working with Besigye during the campaigns.

"I am going to use my 26 years of experience to execute this calling. I have been an MP for 15 years and during my tenure in Parliament, I served in many capacities, including chairing the commissions, statutory authorities and state enterprises committee," he said.

Amuriat said he has for long worked with and under Besigye in many pre and postelection civil rights election campaigns that have seen them in and out of prison.

"Of course, we will handle this campaign as a team with guidance from Dr Besigye. This is not my campaign. It is a campaign for all those who feel deprived. FDC is present in every village in Uganda and it is these leaders and supporters that will help me with this exercise," he added.

EC spokesperson Paul Bukenya on Monday confirmed that the FDC had already picked the presidential nomination forms.