Jumah Kakomo
The Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has urged whoever is interested in it’s top leadership positions to expeditiously pick nomination forms before the deadline on 12th, October, 2023 at 1600hrs.
This was revealed by the party electoral commission chairman Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda at party headquarters Najjanankumbi Kampala before media during it’s weekly presser on Monday of this week.
Bamwenda says the FDC EC has gone through the process of elections from the village to the district as guided by the party constitution Article 29(2). The constitutional mandate was supported by the national executive committee which adopted the guidelines and the structure building roadmap.
Bamwenda says the process of elections was proceded with village elections on 17th July 2023. On that same note the national council sitting on 28th July 2023 under the stewardship of Amb. Wasswa Birigwa resolved that districts that elected their leaders continues as scheduled and for those districts that had not elected their leaders, do so under the guidance and constitution with the FDC electoral commission.
Bamwenda adds that, following the resolution the electoral commission released a residual party structure building roadmap and encouraged all pending districts to elect thier leaders within the period. The residual party building roadmap was scheduled to take place effect from 11th August to 18th August 2023. On the same note, Kasese held a district conference on 12th August 2023 and in attendance was electoral commission, the district conference resolved to hold their elections of Kasese district from 14th August to 30th August 2023.
“Kasese sighted insecurity as a key delaying factor and requested for more time , this was granted to them and we in a very special way thank them for holding such a very colorful district conference which saw Mr. Kabuko Ronald win the seat of the FDC district Chairman, taking over from Mr. Saulo Mate,” Bamwenda said.
He highlighted that they had a target to carry out elections in 71,230 villages, 10,595 parishes, 2211 sub counties, 353 constituencies and 150 districts. He noted that at each level, they were to elect nine members of the Youth league, nine members of the Women league, and 8 members of the mainstream/executive. The electoral commission has successfully held elections in 125 districts out of 150 districts covering 83% success.
“At this point, electoral commission is not carrying out any district elections but rather preparing for the election of national executive committee members, this will be done on the 6th October 2023,”Bamwenda added.
The deputy party spokesperson John Kikonyogo says, at the end of the election process, FDC expected to have 1,851,980 leaders at the village branches, 275,470 leaders at the parish, 57,487 at the sub-counties, 9,178 leaders at the same constituencies, 3,900 leaders at the district and 750 leaders of the district PWDs.
“As we speak now, FDC covered 83% of the total number of electoral areas and for those districts which failed for one reason or another; the party will take a decision after the 6th of October 2023,” Kikonyogo added.
The forthcoming party NEC ELECTIONS
According to Bamwenda, the party electoral commission issued a notice calling upon members of the districts, specifically, the district chairpersons, general secretaries, secretary for publicity and mobilisation, secretary for Women m, secretary for Youth, Consitituency chairpersons and constituency secretary to come on the 6th October and elect thier National Executive Committee members.
“The roadmap for this specific election is out and as we speak, 38 positions are up for elections comes 6th October,” Bamwenda said.
Picking of nomination forms for NEC
According to Bamwenda, picking of nomination forms for NEC commenced on Friday 8th September 2023 and will close tomorrow Tuesday 12th September 2023 at 5pm.
“We are glad to inform you that on day one, 19 members picked nomination forms to vie any of the NEC positions,”Bamwenda said.
He added that the total number of members of members who have picked forms has reached 30 members and they expect more members to come in the remaining time.
“The process shall continue with nomination of candidates upon return of a fully filled nomination form, a copy of academic documents, and receipt of payment of nomination fees, among other requirements,”Bamwenda said.
Nomination fees
According to Bamwenda nomination fees for party NEC elections stand as follows.
1.Party president position – Ugx5m.
- Deputies – Ugx1.5m.
- Party Chairman – Ugx4m
- Party Vice Chairman – Ugx1.5m.
- Party Secretary General – Ugx3m
- Deputy secretary General – Ugx1m.
The rest of other NEC position – Ugx200,000.
Meanwhile Bamwenda congratulated all those who were successfully elected as leaders from the villages to the districts and encouraged them them to pick interest in serving the party at both local and National levels.
“We request all of you to continue to be a responsible persons in your community and offer leadership that is due,”Bamwenda added.
