Forum for Democratic Change chairperson, Wasswa Biriggwa has pulled out party presidential flag bearer race in favour of party president, Patrick Oboi Amuriat.
During the FDC national council meeting held on Thursday at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Birigggwa said he does not want to divide the party like the previous party president Gen Mugisha Muntu had done when he left the party and founded the Alliance of National Transformation (ANT) after being defeated by Amuriat. Biriggwa said to date, the party is still paying for Muntu's departure.
"We have been travelling in the same car, eating in the same restaurants, sleeping in the hotel next to each other fighting for your votes. But I want you to go back home that unlike the last time, we had a flag bearer where the one who lost went away and we're still paying for it, ain't we? Do we have to go back into that again and say Biriggwa is fighting Amuriat and that or that? No, no, no…He's is good and I truly believe he's going to give Museveni a run for his money," said Biriggwa.
Amuriat expressed gratitude towards Biriggwa's action and admitted that he had underestimated Biriggwa's leadership skills and loyalty to the party five years ago when he contested for the chairmanship of the FDC.
"Nearly 5 years ago, I was among the doubting Thomases who thought O'wekitibwa Wasswa Biriggwa was not good for the FDC chairperson because he'd just only arrived. In my mind, I began to wonder where this elder was going to lead our party if not into the hands of the NRM. I did decampign him among the delegates because I thought he should wait for his turn. And five years ago wasn't his turn to become the chairman of the FDC. I did not vote for him and this is why I feel extremely emotional getting to know the person I doubted that this is the greatest honour of my life." said Amuriat.
The FDC party's Electoral Commission chairman Toterebuka Bamwenda later officially declared Amurait the FDC flag bearer. Bamwenda lauded Biriggwa for his great love for the party and also appreciated the two candidates' willingness to avoid clashes during the joint campaigns.
The party vice chairperson Roland Kaginda noted that Biriggwa's gesture is an indication that FDC's democratic institutions have grown.
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