Patrick Oboi Amuriat: FDC President Calls for Unity, Mobilization, and Electoral Reforms as their Presidential Flagbearer to be Elected by June 2025

Amuriat announced that several former members had expressed a desire to rejoin the party and actively participate in its activities. In accordance with Article 12 of the FDC Constitution, the party welcomes returning members and has taken steps to facilitate this process. The National Executive Committee (NEC) will establish reception desks in every district to coordinate the reintegration of these members.

Jan 15, 2025 - 00:00
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Patrick Oboi Amuriat: FDC President Calls for Unity, Mobilization, and Electoral Reforms as their Presidential Flagbearer to be Elected by June 2025
FDC President addresses the Press
Patrick Oboi Amuriat: FDC President Calls for Unity, Mobilization, and Electoral Reforms as their Presidential Flagbearer to be Elected by June 2025
Patrick Oboi Amuriat: FDC President Calls for Unity, Mobilization, and Electoral Reforms as their Presidential Flagbearer to be Elected by June 2025
Patrick Oboi Amuriat: FDC President Calls for Unity, Mobilization, and Electoral Reforms as their Presidential Flagbearer to be Elected by June 2025

On January 15, 2025, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President, Patrick Oboi Amuriat, addressed the nation during a press briefing, outlining key strategies and resolutions aimed at strengthening the party’s position ahead of the 2026 General Elections. In his remarks, Amuriat called for the return of former members, reaffirmed the party’s participation in the upcoming elections, emphasized the need for comprehensive electoral reforms, and criticized the Electoral Commission’s lack of transparency. Below are the highlights of his address.

Call for Return of Dissenting Members

Amuriat announced that several former members had expressed a desire to rejoin the party and actively participate in its activities. In accordance with Article 12 of the FDC Constitution, the party welcomes returning members and has taken steps to facilitate this process. The National Executive Committee (NEC) will establish reception desks in every district to coordinate the reintegration of these members.

Amuriat assured the public that the party had overcome previous internal challenges and attained stability, thanks to the commitment of its leadership and members. He also encouraged young people to join the FDC and seek leadership roles within the party.

FDC’s Roadmap to the 2026 General Elections

The FDC President reaffirmed the party’s readiness to fully participate in the 2026 General Elections, unveiling a detailed strategy to enhance performance in all elective positions. Key activities include:

Identification of candidates, to be completed by June 2025.

Mobilization of resources and preparation of campaign budgets.

Development of a comprehensive manifesto.

Establishment of a Campaign Bureau and networks.

Strengthening of media and publicity teams. Convening a National Delegates’ Conference by June 2025 to elect the presidential flagbearer.

Amuriat called on all party members to actively engage in internal elections and follow the roadmap issued by the National Electoral Commission. He also reiterated FDC’s openness to working with other opposition groups to build a united front, emphasizing the need for solidarity to effectively compete against the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Amuriat highlighted the importance of electoral reforms to ensure free, fair, and credible elections. He called on the NRM government to facilitate comprehensive debates on these reforms and revisit the shelved Private Members’ Bills related to the Citizen Compact on free and fair elections.

Following the success of its public rallies, the FDC is set to embark on a series of countrywide outreach activities aimed at engaging citizens more closely. This phase will include mini-political rallies and constituency-level meetings across all regions. The objectives of this campaign include:

Building confidence among FDC members and citizens.

Disseminating information about FDC’s participation in the 2026 elections.

Enhancing the party’s image and recruiting new members.

Educating citizens about voter registration and encouraging participation.

Supporting aspiring candidates in their campaigns.

Amuriat called on all party members and supporters to embrace this program, with detailed schedules to be released soon.

Amuriat expressed concern over the Electoral Commission’s failure to adhere to its own roadmap and adequately engage stakeholders. He criticized the Commission for repeatedly amending the roadmap with minimal communication, specifically pointing out the limited timeframe allocated for the voter register update from January 20 to February 10, 2025.

He accused the Commission of colluding with certain candidates to manipulate voter data and disenfranchise voters, citing incidents from previous elections such as the Bukedea Woman MP elections. Amuriat also highlighted the failure to gazette electoral areas for the 2026 elections within the stipulated timeline, warning against a repeat of the confusion witnessed in 2020.

Furthermore, he decried the lack of transparency in voter education programs and urged FDC leaders and members to mobilize citizens to participate in the voter update exercise. He called on the youth and other eligible groups to register as voters, emphasizing the importance of electoral participation.

Patrick Oboi Amuriat’s press briefing underscored the FDC’s commitment to rebuilding internal unity, strengthening its grassroots structures, and advocating for electoral reforms to level the playing field ahead of the 2026 General Elections. His call for a united opposition and proactive engagement with citizens reflects the party’s determination to present a credible alternative to the NRM government.

As the party intensifies its preparations, the FDC has made it clear that it will remain vigilant in holding the Electoral Commission accountable and ensuring that the democratic process is transparent and fair for all Ugandans.

John Kusolo John Kusolo is a Ugandan Journalist, Sport fanatic, Tourist, Pastor, and Motivational Speaker. * Journalist: He works for Nile Chronicles News, NCN. * Passion: Known for his dedication to his work and strong motivation. * Ambitious: He sets goals for himself and strives to achieve them. * Enjoys challenges: He thrives in challenging situations.