By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NATIONAL
In an effort to streamline and modernize its membership process, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has launched an automated digital register for new and old members.
According to the party, the Digital Membership Registration system is intended to facilitate easier tracking and management of membership statuses.
John Kikonyogo, the party spokesperson said acquisition of a new membership card is mandatory for all members stating that the old paper membership cards are going to be phased out.
“Membership starts today and all the old cards will be put in our archives,” Kikonyogo said.
Norman Turyatemba, an official from the ICT department of the FDC explained that the new membership cards (E-cards) can be printed in hardcopy- plastic cards at the party headquarters Najjanankumbi for members identity and they are subject to renewal and continued recognition within the party for a specified period of time depending on the category of membership such as ordinary membership which is renewed annually and other categories like corporate membership blue among others which are renewed every after five years and life membership which is applied for at the party headquarters and does not require renewal.
The digital membership registration and renewal campaign comes at a time when the FDC is still experiencing internal divisions, split into two main factions: the Najjanankumbi faction and the Katonga faction. And it is speculated that the move is to bar members of the Katonga faction from identifying themselves as the FDC.
Robert Centenery, a former legislator from Kasese municipality and the current FDC Vice Chairman for western region says the transition to digital membership will enable every Ugandan to register to become a member of the FDC despite their geographical locations without incurring transport costs to party offices for registration and renewal of their membership statuses.
Speaking at the launch of the system, the FDC party president Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuriat aka Poa said no one will disturb the peace of the FDC for their personal political interests calling on members to strive to constitutionally defend their party.
“Nobody no matter their political size will be allowed to meddle with our party constitution in order to destabilize the party for selfish political, financial or any other gain,” he said.
He said the party is transiting from paper based identification to digitalization of membership due to its efficiency in running political organizations.
“DMR makes us stand out as the first political party in the Country and only the second in the region to register members digitally. We are migrating from the labor intensive and paper based Analog to a much easier and efficient Digital mode of running a political organization,” Amuriat explained.
Amuriat disclosed that the FDC does not at the moment have any registered person for life membership noting that they are going to extremely limit application for life membership to political hawkers and incredibly chaotic party members like former party national chairman Amb. Wasswa Birigwa and unaffiliated members such as former party Vice President – Central region, also the Kampala Capital City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago from further causing unnecessary tensions in the party.
“Our records show that there is no individual who has ever acquired life membership since the inception of the party. What this means is that all of us without exception MUST renew our membership to remain members of the party with rights to hold positions in and make decisions for the party,” he said.
On the other hand, the FDC national chairman, Hon. Jack Sabiiti said registration for membership is open for all members of the public asking former members who were reportedly hoodwinked to believe in the Katonga group to register and return home. He said although they are calling for reconciliation, they do not force anyone to reconcile with the Najjanankumbi group asking independent and self-willed individuals at Katonga to register lest they lose their membership with the party.
List of different categories of membership and their subscription rates and validation
Ordinary Party Cards to cost 5,000 shs from 1,000 shs expires and renewable annually
Corporate cards
Blue Member Kob – Shs. 50,000/= expires every 5 years
Blue Member Nile – Shs.100,000/= expires every 5 years
Crane Member – Shs.200,000/= expires every 5 years
Bronze Member – Shs.1,000,000/= expires every 5 years
Silver Member – Shs.2,000,000/= expires every 5 years
Gold Member – Shs.3,000,000/= expires every 5 years
Platinum Member – Shs.5,000,000/= expires every 5 years
Life member – Shs.10,000,000/= No expiry
Life Membership guidelines and conditions
- That a member would make a lifetime commitment to the FDC party by remaining a member for the full length of his/her lifetime if he/she acquires it.
- Those Life members are exempt from payment of annual membership dues.
- That Life Membership should be given to a member in acknowledgement of exceptional service and contribution he /she has offered to the Party
- This Life Membership Card should at all times retain its prestige and not be given easily.
- A member MUST fulfill the following conditions to get the Life Membership Card;
- Must be at least 50 years of age
- He/she must have been the member of the Party for at least 10 years consecutively.
- Outstanding record of his/her quality of service/leadership in the party
- He/she must be of a distinguished personality in both the party and society
- He/she must be of integrity and have earned respect in the party, society at large and amongst his or her peers.
- He/she must be a person who has demonstrated leadership within the Party, one who Mentors and sponsors the young and old with political career traits and finally the one who acts with Impartiality.
