The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has revealed that the ‘joint candidate’ talks between FDC flag bearer Kizza Besigye and former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi have failed.
Addressing journalists’ today FDC spokesperson Ssemuju Nganda (Kyandondo East) said the party arrived at its decision yesterday after the Amama team only considered the provisions of fielding a single candidate in next year’s elections and not the other elective positions. “We concluded yesterday and we did achieve what we wanted,” Semujju said, adding that: “our colleagues think that the only task is choosing a joint candidate. Winning the presidency is our main goal but we need to consider other spots. They don’t care about other positions.” He however said, that talks on future any possible cooperation were ongoing.
Last week a document surfaced on the internet showing that former Prime Minister Mbabazi and the FDC flagbearer Br Besigye were in talks aimed at fielding a single candidate to challenge incumbent President Yoweri Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. The meetings went on throughout the weekend and finally came to an end on late Sunday night.
In a related development, the FDC spokesperson has revealed that preparations for Dr Besigye’s nomination are in their final stages, adding that a ‘working committee’ led by party president Gen Mugisha Muntu is making final touches on the timely release of both the campaign program and manifesto.
“We are starting a new phase on Wednesday of liberating this country. This is another phase in the struggle,” Ssemujju said, adding: “revolutions can take place even before elections are concluded; we hope we can achieve what we have not achieved in the past years.”
Dr Besigye will be nominated on Thursday November 4 and thereafter, he will address his first official campaign rally at Nakivubo stadium.