Birigwa denies picking Nomination Forms from FDC’s EC

Kampala: The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) national Chairman Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa has rebuffed rumours making rounds on social media that he picked nomination forms from the party’s electoral commission led by Toterebuka Bamwenda.

Yesterday, social media platforms were awashed with information alleging that Mr. Birigwa had picked nomination forms for his re-election bid.

FDC’s electoral commission secretary Augustine Ojabile also confirmed to Country Radio Birigwa is one of the people who picked nomination forms for the position of national chairperson.

He claims Birigwa sent a message via social media to indicate his interest.

However, in the telephone interview with our reporter, Birigwa denies picking the forms or sending a representative to do so.

Birigwa heads a faction of the party that is opposed to the delegates’ conference at which the election of new office bearers will be held.

Aspirants for the party’s top leadership positions are expected to return their forms on Wednesday and Thursday to formally secure their nomination.

Meanwhile, dozens of Anti-riot police officers have been deployed in Busabala and at Katonga, the latest in a series of events highlighting the deep seated misunderstanding within the once Uganda’s biggest opposition party.

Today, 19^th September 2023 had earlier been earmarked by the Katonga based FDC’s faction led by Birigwa as the day when there will be an extra ordinary delegates conference that would determine the future trajectory of the party that is already seen in a shambolic state.  

Despite a police directive and High Court order blocking today’s meeting called by the FDC national Chairman Wasswa Birigwa, hundreds of delegates from across the country are already in Kampala to attend the same.

Sources within the party have revealed that delegates began arriving on Sunday evening, despite uncertainty surrounding the conference due to a court injunction that was issued to halt it.

“For the delegates’ conference, we are ready to crash those planning to disorganize it. This is not the playground for anybody who is looking for trouble,” Birigwa warned while talking to our reporter.

According to High Court Judge Esta Nambayo, the said conference should be stayed until a legal challenge against it taking place is heard and resolved.

The current wave of disagreements in the party stems from the allegations of dirty money suspected to have come from president Yoweri kaguta Museveni who is also the chairman of the ruling party National Resistance Movement.

The FDC spokes person Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (Kiira Municipality MP) and his colleagues are accusing the party president Patrick Amuriat Oboi (POA) and the Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi of attempting sell the party to president Museveni.

However both POA and Mafibi are denying the accusations describing them as redicilous and baseless.