Besigye returns presidential nomination forms

KAMPALA
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag bearer has returned nomination forms to the Electoral Commission (EC) confirming he will be on the ballot in the 2016 general election.
The forms were returned by party electoral Chairman Dan Mugarura accompanied by Besigye’s aid Francis Mwijjukye.

The development came shortly after the majority opposition parties composing of; Democratic Party, Uganda People’s Congress faction led by Olara Otunnu, Justice Party (Jeema), Federal Alliance and Peoples Progressive Party, held a press conference at The Democratic Alliance (TDA) headquarters in Naguru and declared Mr Mbabazi as their candidate.

The Alliance thought to front one candidate to represent the Opposition in the 2016 general election but failed to zero down on one candidate despite other contenders Norbert Mao; Gilbert Bukenya gave way to Mr Mbabazi and FDC’s Kizza Besigye.

“The party has its presidential candidate and since there is no conscience [within TDA], we decided that our candidate can go ahead and be nominated,” Mr Mugarura said.
By press time, the EC was verifying the signatures of those who endorsed the three-time presidential candidate to see if he had attained the required 100 signatures from at least 75 districts across the country.

Earlier, FDC spokesperson Ssemujju Nganda had described as “inconsequential’’, the decision of majority political parties to endorse former prime minister Amama Mbabazi as their presidential candidate.

“Look at the last election, what did DP, UPC, UFA get? Even in the summit, we agreed that we do not use majority but consensus,” Mr Ssemujju said on phone.

In 2011 election, won by President Museveni, Dr Kizza Besigye, obtained 2, 064, 963 (representing 26%) votes while Democratic Party’s Norbert Mao was is in third position having polled 147, 708 votes.

Mr Olara Otunnu (Uganda People’s Congress; 125, 059 votes), Ms Betty Olive Kamya (Uganda Federal alliance; 52, 782 votes), Mr Abed Bwankia (People’s Development Party; 51, 708 votes), Mr Jaberi Bidandi Ssali (People’s Progressive Party; 34, 688 votes) and Independent Samuel Walter Lubega with 32, 726 votes

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