SIRONKO — The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in Sironko District is grappling with internal divisions following a disputed LC5 primary election, which has prompted the leading aspirant to run as an independent.
Francis Kyegulo Maniaku narrowly defeated incumbent David Livingstone Giruli by seven votes in the July 5 party primaries held at Mafudu Primary School.
However, Giruli has petitioned the FDC Electoral Commission, challenging Maniaku’s victory over claims of unverified delegates, inflated voter numbers, violence, and intimidation.
Giruli contended that his line was counted first, garnering 354 votes against 618 verified delegates, which should have secured him a comfortable lead.
Maniaku, according to Giruli, could only have obtained a maximum of 264 votes.
Yet the final tally put Maniaku in the lead with 361 votes, prompting Giruli to allege that the counting process was chaotic and riddled with electoral irregularities.
Following investigations, FDC Electoral Commission Chairperson Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda overturned Maniaku’s victory and declared Giruli the rightful winner, with 354 votes against Maniaku’s 264, out of 618 valid votes cast.
“By the powers entrusted to me, I hereby declare Giruli, who scored the highest number of votes, as the FDC flag bearer for the LC5 Chairperson seat in Sironko District,” Bamwenda said.
The investigation reviewed television footage, consulted local leaders, and contacted sub-county chairs, uncovering instances of violence, double counting, and ghost voters.
Feeling sidelined and dissatisfied, Maniaku has vowed to contest the LC5 seat as an independent candidate.
“This is not the end. I am a candidate for LC5 Sironko District,” he declared.
Political analysts warn that the dispute could fracture FDC’s support base in Sironko, potentially forcing the party to compete against a former primary winner from within its own ranks.
Several local FDC leaders have criticized the party’s top-down handling of the primaries.
Joel Busima, FDC Mafudu Sub-county chairman and district councillor, pledged support for Maniaku, accusing the party leadership of undermining democracy.
“Maniaku was voted in broad daylight. We shall support him, not someone imposed by the top leadership,” Busima said.
Joseph Namakola Wamboga, district councilor representing Buwalasi and an FDC delegate, also expressed dismay at the reversal.
“Withdrawing the party flag does not withdraw that support. Even as an independent, Maniaku has popular backing,” he said.
Wamboga added that Maniaku’s local residency gives him an advantage over the incumbent, who commutes from Tororo.
“The people want a leader who is present and invested in the district. Resources meant for monitoring should go into local work, not daily travel,” he said.
Sironko remains a key battleground in the Elgon region, with FDC seeking to fend off growing influence from the ruling National Resistance Movement and other emerging political outfits at both district and parliamentary levels.
