Amuriat defeats Gen Muntu to become new FDC president

Mr Amuriat (C) being led to the podium by supporters at Namboole. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa

Mr Patrick Oboi Amuriat has been announced as the new president of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) after defeating party leader Gen Mugisha Muntu.

Mr Amuriat got 641 votes while Gen Muntu bagged 463 votes.

Mr Amuriat served as Kumi County Member of Parliament for three 5-year terms.

The hotly-contested polls were held on Friday at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, near Kampala.  

Mr Amuriat (L) greets Gen Muntu before the polls on Friday. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa

Mr Amuriat being sworn in after winning at Namboole in Kampala on Friday.PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA

Former party president, Dr Kizza Besigye casts his vote. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA

Some FDC delegates resorted to picking grasshoppers, a delicacy in Uganda as the votes were being tallied. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa

The party’s Electoral Commission chairman, Mr Dan Mugarura announced Mr Amuriat’s victory on Saturday morning.

Mr Moses Byamugisha, who also contested got three votes while another contender, Mr Daniel received 2 votes.

Gen Muntu, a former army commander, who previously served as secretary for mobilisation became the president of FDC’s in 2012 after beating Mr Nandala Mafabi, the current secretary general of the party.

Gen Muntu congratulated Mr Amurait upon his victory.

Mr Amuriat said he would wish to work with Gen Muntu to build cohesion in the party.

The former MP has addressed most of his campaign rallies with Dr Kizza Besigye, the founder president of the party.

Members of Gen Muntu’s camp included among others, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Winnie Kiiza and the Opposition Chief Whip, Mr Ssemujju Nganda.

FDC was formed in December 2004 by politicians who had unsuccessfully campaigned for Dr Kizza Besigye against President Yoweri Museveni under the Reform Agenda.

The Reform Agenda was a political pressure group that was formed in 2001 by a combination of former National Resistance Movement supporters and other opposition activists.