The newly-constituted National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Forum for Democratic Change is meeting today to among other issues discuss the party’s membership to The Democratic Alliance.
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament Wafula Oguttu, who stood in for the FDC spokesperson Semmujju Nganda, said that the meeting, where the party’s 17 newly elected executive committee members were also sworn in, is very important because it would help them discuss the TDA issues.
“We are going to agree how to move forward in the elections and decide when to pick TDA forms,” Mr Wafula Oguttu said adding: “TDA has a process, we are going to sit and discuss as a committee; we shall rally behind what has been decided by NEC.”
Wafula Oguttu noted that although there were ‘some disagreements’ at the delegates conference held at Namboole Stadium last week, the party had moved on. “Every time we are improving on our delegates conference; we learn from our mistakes,” Wafula Oguttu said and added: “There are differences but they make us united, we came out strong.”
With the deadline for returning TDA nomination forms looming, FDC needs to sort the internal differences in time so that it is able to forward a candidate who will be supported by all party members.
Meanwhile, Dan Mugarura, the FDC electoral commission chief noted that with the swearing in of the new 17 executive members, the NEC was now fully constituted and would make decisions for the party.
“We are subscribing to TDA while others finished, we wanted to have a full NEC to make resolutions on TDA,” Mr Mugarura said and commended the new NEC members for their service to the FDC.
Speaking at the same function the FDC flag bearer for the 2016 presidential elections Dr. Kizza Besigye, also commended the newly-sworn in members and committed himself to ensuring party cohesion.
“My task is just beginning; we are setting the stage and when ready, we will unveil the curtains,” Dr Besigye said and pledged to work closely with his rival for party flag bearer Major General Mugisha Muntu.
Last week Gen Muntu lost the flag bearer candidacy to Dr Besigye by a wide margin, prompting speculation of a split between members of the two rival camps. However, Gen Muntu has already conceded defeat and also urged his supporters to support Dr Besigye’s presidential bid.
