Lugogo, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Patrick Oboi Amuriat clinched a second term as president of the Najjanankumbi faction of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). In a unanimous victory, Nathan Nandala Mafabi retained his role as Secretary General.
Amuriat’s triumph was solidified with 800 votes, triumphing over Moses Byamugisha who garnered a mere 187 votes. The national delegates conference convened on October 6 at the Patidar Samaj Sports Grounds in Lugogo, Kampala.
Among the 79 nominated candidates, 38 assumed their roles unopposed. Mukalazi Kibuka, the party’s vice chairman for the Central region, presided over the conference, graced by 1,143 delegates.
Yusuf Nsibambi, newly appointed as the deputy president for Buganda region, succeeded Erias Lukwago, who presently holds the interim president position of the Katonga faction. Robert Centenary was chosen as the vice chairman of the western region, while Jamal Wante became the vice chairperson of the eastern region, succeeding Proscovia Salaam Musumba, among other designates.
Geoffrey Ekanya earned a second term as Treasurer General, triumphing over Lucy Akello Franca. Ekanya secured 626 votes against Akello’s 355 votes. Ajuna Daka assumed the role of National Mobilizer, and John Kikonyogo stepped into the position of Party spokesperson.
Jack Sabiiti was appointed as the national chairman for the party without facing any opposition. Amuriat stressed that no individual stands above the FDC constitution, vowing to foster unity within the party as he takes the helm. He firmly stated, “There can only be one FDC”.
Amuriat added: ”We will not tolerate two centers of power. If you believe you are above the FDC constitution, then you have no place in FDC.”
Mafabi disclosed that the party teetered on the brink of deregistration if they failed to conduct the National Executive Committee (NEC) elections. “Katonga is a place for activism.,” Nandala said.
”I want to inform the people of Uganda that after tomorrow, we aim to remove those misusing our name in Katonga as FDC. FDC is based in Najjanankumbi, with offices at the district, sub-county, parish, and village levels,” he added.
The Katonga faction of FDC faced defeat in their endeavor to obstruct the delegates conference organized by the Najjanankumbi faction on Friday. Wasswa Birigwa, the FDC national chairperson, along with 27 others, pursued a court order to halt the Najjanankumbi delegates conference, fearing the loss of their party positions. Their plea included a request for a temporary injunction to halt the conference and the elections for FDC National Executive Committee members.
However, on Thursday, Justice Musa Ssekaana dismissed Birigwa and the others’ application, deeming it lacking in merit.
