Uganda’s main opposition political party Forum for Democratic Change party has celebrated 12 years since it was founded as a mainstream party with the main celebrations held in the Eastern district of Busia.
FDC as a Party metamorphosed out of a merger of Reform Agenda, Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO) and National Democratic Forum (NDF) to form the mighty Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Led by Rtd Col Kizza Besigye, speaker after speaker narrated how the NRM regime was undermining democracy and rule of law in Uganda and promised to keep pressing harder until Ugandans get the best government for themselves. Dr Besigye was an unsuccessful candidate in Uganda’s 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016 presidential elections, losing all of them to the incumbent Yoweri Museveni, who has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986 but on May 11, 2016 Besigye secretly swore himself in as president of Uganda, a day before the official swearing-in ceremony of President Museveni. He was arrested moments into his swearing in and is now battling treason charges.
The fete
The function that was organized by the FDC National Youth League leadership in conjunction with FDC Busia District leadership attracted big shots within the party including Party President Gen Mugisha Muntu, Vice president Eastern region Hon Alice Alaso Asianut, Leader of opposition in parliament Rt Hon Winnie Kiiza, Busia District Woman MP Hon Jane, Hon Kevina Taaka and Kabweri county MP Hon Gonahasa Francis Zindura among others.
Before the main celebrations, a closed door meeting was held with the elected leaders in Lumino in Samia Bugwe South and thereafter held a very big rally in Lumino outskirts.
The day’s Guest of Honour Rtd Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu thanked Ugandans for supporting FDC despite government’s attempt to block them on many occasions from supporting the party of their choice.
“Museveni’s government has tried all it can to stop you from supporting your party FDC but you have challenged him that it’s only FDC that can take Uganda forward building one Uganda with one people.”
Mr. Iddi Ouma, the chairman of the FDC Youth League that organized the event pledged to increase youth membership in the party and applauded the party leadership for being supportive towards great success in the past elections and those to come.
He thanked his fellow organizers who included FDC Busia leadership led by chairman Opio Hassan Bwire also Busia Municipality Mayor, eastern division Chair Amin Sadik Agere, his western division counterpart for selflessly supporting the youth league to hold a successful event.
The event ended with cutting a cake to mark 12 years in active politics and to celebrate with Ugandans for their unending support.
By Sadiki Adams
