By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Electoral Commission Chairperson, Hon. Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda has declared Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuriat the duly elected president of the disputed election by some party members.
“In accordance with the powers conferred in the EC, I declare Oboi Amuriat Patrick, the duly elected party president of the election held on this 6th October, 2023,” EC chairman Toterebuka declared.
Amuriat who was seeking for a second and final term according to the party constitution was declared a winner after garnering 800 votes against his rival Moses Byamugisha who obtained only 187 votes.
The electoral exercise started successfully early in the morning at Patidar Samaj Sports Grounds Lugogo on Kampala with a national delegates conference in which candidates addressed the delegations on their manifestos and the eventual voting, tallying of votes and declaration of winners. However, the exercise later turned into a brief chaos after a group of youth purportedly the supporters of former Makindye East MP , Ibrahim Kasozi confronted and fought the EC chairman Toterebuka and his commissioner Augustine Ojobile in objection to the announced results which showed their candidate had lost an election.
Kasozi was vying for party Secretary for organization and mobilization but lost to Ajuna Daka Joseph who scored 623 votes against Kasozi’s 354 votes.
The situation was easily put under control by the security team deployed at the place and the declaration of electoral results continued.
A few moments later, Kasozi resurfaced from the now “insecure” crowd of voters to deliver a speech conceding defeat which according to the party Secretary General elect , Nathan Nandala Mafabi was clearing the air of the previous incident.
Among other elected leaders include Hon. Geoffrey Ekanya – Treasurer General who obtained 626votes against Akello Franca Judith’s 355 votes, Richard Muyombya – Deputy Information and Publicity after he got 501votes against Mohammed Mbentyo who got 449 votes, John Mugabi (564 votes) who defeated Kalija Kats James (397 votes) on Party Deputy SG Research and Policy, and Paga Gloria who defeated former FDC Youth League President, Walid Mulindwa Lubega with a margin of one vote to become the party deputy SG Administration with 357 votes against Mulindwa’s 356 votes, among others.
Other candidates such as Hon. Jack Sabiiti – FDC National Chairman, Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi – Secretary General, four regional vice presidents; Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi (Buganda), Hon. Kaps Fungaroo (Northern), Hon. Wokuri Madanda Margaret (Eastern) and the four national vice chairpersons; Hon. Robert Centenary Franco (Western), Wanted Jamal (Eastern) among others were unopposed.
Also on the unopposed candidates was former FDC deputy spokesperson, for John Kikonyogo whose sole candidature had earlier on in the morning attempted to cause chaos from the delegates who protested the unexplained and deliberate removal of another candidate, Ouma Idi on the position of party Secretary for Publicity. They will serve for a period of five years from 2023 to 2028.
Chaos @FDCOfficial1 elections pic.twitter.com/mNHFUQSQNf
— Parrots UG (@parrotsug) October 6, 2023
An anonymous source within the party intimidated to Parrots Media that Kikonyogo’s running as a single candidate came as a result of thorough investigations which found out that his co-runner, Ouma Idi was no longer a subscribing member of the FDC and had previously crossed to Gen. Mugisha Muntu’s Alliance for National Transition (ANT) party.
Amuriat Maiden Speech
Shortly after declaration of results, the elected candidates took oaths of allegiance led by party president elect, Eng. Amuriat and party national chairman, Hon. Jack Sabiiti. The taking of oaths was administered by counsel Yusuf Nsibambi, also the elected leader on the FDC NEC leadership.
Addressing the delegation after an oath, Amuriat said the events of the day are a culmination of months of hard work, tears, sweat and sometimes blood caused by internal party conflicts which have resulted into factions.
“It has not been easy because of we have had a lot disruptions coming from our friends fellow members of this party.
But, I believe that what has happened today should close the door of unnecessary debate of legitimacy of the leadership that will be sitting at Najjanankumbi,” he said.
“You recognized my contribution, I go home tonight satisfied that you value me.” Amuriat said
He pledged towards the unification of the party particularly those under Katonga faction that previously suspended his presidency on allegations of mismanagement of party affairs and dishonesty of office.
“I would like to extend an olive branch to you. We are members of the same family. There should not be Katonga FDC and there should not be a distinction between FDC Najjanankumbi and Katonga. We are going to be one FDC,” Amuriat pledged
BREAKING: @PatrickAmuriat declared @FDCOfficial1 for the next 5yrs pic.twitter.com/RsnXhAP9SL
— Parrots UG (@parrotsug) October 6, 2023
He was quick to warn against the illegalities in using FDC party name and emblems by the defiant Katonga group but, insisted on reconciling either sides.
“We won’t tolerate any form of mischief, opposition, blackmail and forgery that some of our friends chose to indulge in,” he warned
“I am going to pursue reconciliation with our friends. This doesn’t mean that we are weak,” he added Quiting the philosophical statement;
“it ain’t all about the size of the boat, it’s about the motion in the ocean”
Amuriat also announced a nationwide mobilization campaign in areas where FDC did not conduct structure elections and where it had lost momentum such as Ankole, Kigezi and Northern Uganda to preach the gospel of reconciliation and mobilizing support for the party ahead of the 2026 elections.
Disciplinary Actions
The newly elected president also resounded to take disciplinary actions against rebellious members.
“I have not lost sight of disciplinary cases I had initiated against Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Hon. Ssemujju Nganda, Hon. Mubarak Munyagwa, Hon. Salaamu Musumba and their cohorts. They will have to face the disciplinary committee. There is no one that is bigger than the constitution of the FDC,” he said.
Amuriat assured delegates that nobody is going to take FDC party because it was founded by the people of Uganda.
Election of EC and Elders Committee
During the delegation conference, delegates proposed and unanimously endorsed the current Electoral Commission and Elders Committee should continue serving for an interim period of six months and entrusted powers in the National Council to appoint the new committees after the stipulated period.
The motion to extend the term of office and give powers to the National Council to appoint EC and Elders Committee was proposed by Obalin Sanon, a delegate from Mayuge and seconded by the secretary for Kampala central Juma Akankwatsa and FDC Secretary for Publicity Soroti City, Omar Paul.
