By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
More than 30 members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) have expressed interest to vie for different positions on the party’s National Executive Committee.
This has been revealed by the party Electoral Commission Boss, Hon. Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda during a media engagement at Najjanankumbi on Monday.
“On day one, 19 members picked nomination forms to vie for any of the NEC positions. As we are speaking, a total number of members who have picked forms has reached 30 members and we expect more members to come in the last two days,” said Toterebuka.
Picking of nomination forms and expression of interest in the FDC party top leadership started on Friday 8th September, 2023 and will end on Tuesday September 12, according to the roadmap issued by the party EC last week.
Ordinary members are expected to return the forms starting from Wednesday, 13 -16 September, 2023 while individuals vying for positions in the cabinet (working committee) including the party president and his four deputies, party Chairperson and his four deputies, Secretary General and deputy SG, treasurer and deputy treasurer will return the forms between 17 and 18 September, 2023.
Bamwenda did not divulge into details of the individuals who have so far picked nomination forms from Najjanankumbi but stated that the exercise will close tomorrow (September 12) at 5PM.
According to Toterebuka, 38 positions are up for election in the FDC NEC and urged to all legible members to pick nomination forms and contest for positions of their choice.
Eligibility
The FDC Electoral Commission requires that for one to contest for any position on the party NEC, he/she must possess a valid National Identity Card (National ID), Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) or it’s equivalence, Two recent Passport size photos with a receipt of payment of the nomination fee, fully filled nomination form, among other requirements.
“Candidates vying for party presidency are required to pay a non refundable nomination fee of Shs5m each, and each of the deputy presidents are asked to pay Shs1.5m. Party National Chairman and deputies are required to pay Shs4m and 1.5 million shillings, respectively,” Toterebuka said.
Also, candidates vying for position of Secretary General are required to pay a non refundable nomination fee of Shs3m while candidates for deputy SG position are required to pay Shs1m. Candidates vying for other NEC positions are charged a nomination fee of Shs200,000.
FDC will elect the new leaders during the national delegates conference on October 6 at UMa Show grounds Lugogo , two days to the expiry of the tenure of the current leadership.
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n related stories, the FDC EC has appealed to the electorates in Hoima district to turn up in large numbers and vote for their candidate, Patrick Musinguzi for district LCV chairperson seat in a September 14 by-election. The party says that it is Musinguzi that has been fighting for land rights to the evicted residents and therefore, voting him to power would capacitate him to command at the centre.
By press time, more other members had picked nomination forms however, inside sources at Najjanankumbi told this publication that the incumbent party president Hon. Patrick Amuriat Oboi has not yet expressed interest in any position.
