The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has officially kicked off its internal nominations for candidates seeking to represent the party in the upcoming general elections.
Aspirants will contest for the party flag in parliamentary, district chairperson, LC3 chairperson, and councillor races.
At the FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi, a flurry of activity marked the first day of nominations, with aspirants from Kampala and neighbouring areas arriving as early as 10:00 a.m.
The nomination exercise is being decentralised across the country, with other regions conducting the process at district headquarters.
The FDC Electoral Commission Chairperson, Tuterebuka Bamwenda, said the number of aspirants turning up was a clear indication of the confidence the public still has in the party.
"There is high competition for our flag, contrary to what was being preached against us," Bamwenda stated during a press conference.
Before being nominated, each aspirant underwent a vetting process to ensure they had paid the required nomination fees, possessed valid academic documents, and were fully subscribed party members.
"We don’t want to take chances we have to prove that you qualify for the positions you’re seeking," Bamwenda emphasised.
During the exercise, Bamwenda officially nominated Ibrahim Kasozi Birabwa for the position of Lord Mayor of Kampala, invoking the powers vested in him by the party.
Other candidates nominated on the first day included: Mugisha Moses Okwera – Nakawa East, Musoke Emanuel – Mayor, Kawempe. Bukenya Alex – MP Rubaga South
The nominated candidates expressed gratitude and pledged to uphold the party’s mission, values, and vision by prioritising service delivery in their communities.
Outside Kampala, district-level nomination exercises proceeded simultaneously, underlining FDC’s commitment to a grassroots-driven democratic process.
However, Bamwenda raised concerns over the ongoing Special Interest Group (SIG) elections conducted by the national Electoral Commission. He criticised the lack of transparency, claiming the commission had not availed copies of the SIG register to FDC.
“Elections are already going on, but how sure are we that those on the register are genuine? They could be using ghost registers in favor of NRM,” Bamwenda said.
As the nomination process continues, the FDC is expected to vet and unveil more candidates in the coming days, setting the stage for robust competition ahead of the national elections.
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