Mbabazi endorsed by majority TDA members

A section of the majority The Democratic Alliance (TDA) has endorsed former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi as its flagbearer in the 2016 presidential elections.
Mr Mbabazi, an NRM member was on Friday declared TDA flag bearer in a statement read by the Democratic Party (DP) president and TDA member, Norbert Mao.

"Hon. Mbabazi was selected by the majority of the summit," said Mr Mao.

According to Mao, Mr Mbabazi is the only candidate selected by the alliance as its flagbearer.
"Our protocol does not allow more than one candidate to carry the flag for the alliance. Presenting more than one candidate goes against our principle of unity," he said.
Addressing the media shortly after the declaration, Mr Mbabazi said “We are fighting for the future of this country and a new age dawns.”
When asked why he has no supporters apart from his family members, Mr Mbabazi said “Patience is a Virtue. There is no way I can hide my team if I'm going into an election."

Mr Mbabazi observed that his platform ‘Go Forward’ is a signatory to the protocol of TDA whose objectives he subscribes to.
“I declared my intention to contest, because the party I belonged had veered off its course. Our stance as go forward represent our struggle for democracy and prosperity,” he noted.
Mr Mbabazi said he will be president of Uganda not of NRM or TDA.
“Unlike people who are Presidents of only those who voted them, I will be president of all Ugandans irrespective of their political orientation or where they voted from,” he added.

When asked about former FDC president Dr Kiiza Besigye, a three-time contender of president Museveni, Mr Mbabazi said, “My campaign is going to be an issues campaign; not individuals. This country has over 35 million people. This victory is not only possible but it is within our grasp. What is the promise of an individual against the promise of the entire country?”
Mr Mbabazi further noted that his government will present alternative policies and programmes against what the status quo presents.
“We are looking for consensus everywhere. Even in all these parties. We know many in FDC CP. We are as broad as possible. Ours is a crusade that enjoys a broad acceptance in the population. The door remains open for those who dissented,” he noted.

The development comes just hours after Dr Besigye addressed the media earlier saying the opposition would support any candidate selected by TDA summit.
“We committed to support any candidate who comes out TDA as a flagbearer. But that does not mean that we would not raise issues about who is selected. That’s why we are in the process of reaching a consensus. The reservations we expressed on the candidature of Hon. Amama were reservations that were made frankly and in good spirit,” Dr Besigye had said.