By Tolit Ivan & Agency
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has launched a mobilization drive in Amuru district to strengthen its party structures amidst a wave of supporters’ defections to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
The move follows the recent defection of the Amuru LCV Chairperson Michael Lakony to the NRM party. Lakony who has been a staunch FDC party member since 2006 defected with a section of party members on January 30 from Alebtong district.
While Kilak North Member of Parliament Anthony Akol hasn’t officially declared his defection, the legislator has recently been siding with the NRM, a party he has long criticized.
FDC Deputy Party President in charge of Northern Uganda Hassan Kaps Fungaroo noted that while the defection of the two leaders is painful to the party members, it hasn’t weakened the FDC party nor its supporters in Amuru district.
Speaking during a meeting with FDC party grassroots leaders from Kilak North Constituency in Pabbo Town Council, Amuru district on Tuesday, Fungaroo noted that the resolve of the party members in the district remains strong.
He said that despite other party defections, including former Kilak legislator and die-hard FDC party member Michael Ochula in 2015, the FDC party has remained strong in the Amuru district and is poised to win in the coming 2026 general election.
Fungaroo noted that the party now intends to embark on strengthening the leadership capability of its members and identification of candidates to replace their departed members. According to him, the FDC party has also scheduled to hold party structure elections in the district aiming at streamlining the leadership.
During the meeting which attracted over 30 grassroots leaders, the party members noted that they were unfazed with the defection of their party members calling it a test of true opposition spirit.
Denis Rom, the Amuru District Vice Chairperson and a member of the FDC party National Executive Committee said as party members in Amuru district they are unshaken by the defection and loyalty some of their members are showing towards the NRM party.
Rom noted that their decisions to defect were personal choices adding that they are determined to continue strengthening the party by filling up all the structures and identifying candidates to vie in the coming general election.
Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak South Legislator, however, celebrated the defection of the leaders describing it as a blessing to the opposition in Amuru district.
FDC party has enjoyed immense support in Amuru district and parts of the Acholi Sub-region in the past winning majority political seats. For instance, in Amuru district alone, all three legislators and the district LCV Chairperson won the 2021 election on FDC party tickets.
While the FDC party held a strong political ground in the sub-region in the past, its strength over the years has been degenerating as top shots continue to defect to the NRM party or opt out of the party as independent candidates in elections.
The latest former FDC party defector, Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Bardege-Layibi Legislator was officially welcomed into the NRM party more than a week ago by the Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among in Pabbo Town Council, Amuru district.
Currently, out of the 28 parliamentary seats in the Acholi sub-region, 13 are being occupied by the NRM party, eight are by the opposition parties and six are on independent tickets.
