The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Patrick Amuriat Oboi, and Secretary General, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, have been nominated, despite ‘suspension’ from the FDC Katonga faction led by the party’s founding president, Dr Kiiza Besigye.
Early this week, the Katonga faction held an ‘extra-ordinary delegates conference’, where they unanimously resolved among others to suspend top party leaders including; president Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuriat, Secretary General Nandala Mafabi, and treasurer general Godfrey Ekanya.
They also proposed Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to act as interim party president, Harlod Kaija as interim secretary general, and Francis Mwijukye as interim treasurer general.
At the same event, they described the nominations at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, sham and illegal.
However, this didn’t deter the Najjanankumbi leadership led by Amuriat.
According to the party’s Electoral Commission, a total of 77 candidates were officially nominated to compete for various positions within the National Executive Committee (NEC).
Among those nominated, is Moses Byamugisha for party president while Former Member of Parliament for Rukiga County Hon. Jack Sabiti for party Chairman, Former Makindye East MP, Ibrahim Kasozi to contest for Organizing secretary.
While speaking to candidates at the end of the nominations day, Hon.Toterebuka Bamwenda, the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the party, thanked all of them for stepping forward to seek leadership roles within the party.
Speaking shortly after his nomination, Nandala castigated the Katonga group for trying to use back door methods to get leadership positions.
“We believe in democracy, we do not believe in passing through windows”, Nandala said.
The candidates will now embark on their campaigns, reaching out to delegates across the country.
The elections for the NEC are scheduled to take place on October 6, 2023.