FDC Endorses DA’s Constitutional, Electoral Reforms Agenda

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) have taken a significant step towards fostering a more inclusive and democratic Uganda.

During a closed-door meeting held on January 21, 2025 at the FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi, the DA, which is an inclusive civic platform, and FDC discussed the compendium of the Constitutional, electoral reforms and a transitional framework, marking a crucial milestone in their collaborative efforts to pursue the agenda.

According to FDC President Patrick Amuriat, the meeting was a result of a request by DA coordinator and Nyendo-Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga to engage in discussions on electoral reforms and the transition of governance in Uganda.

Amuriat expressed his appreciation for the DA’s initiative, stating that the FDC maintains an open-door policy and is always willing to engage with stakeholders in the country’s politics.

“As the FDC, we found no problem whatsoever in holding this joint meeting with our colleagues, who are stakeholders in the politics of this country. And we don’t have any problem at all, meeting anybody because we maintain an open door policy as the FDC, and we are open to dialogue with people involved in the politics of this country,” Amuriat said.

Veteran politician Amuriat who thanked Mpuuga for dusting off documents that had gathered dust on the shelves of parliament and bringing them to the fore described the meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, as “cordial and fruitful.”

He also appreciated the DA’s leadership in advancing electoral reforms, noting that this was something the FDC had expected the National Unity Platform (NUP) to take the lead on by virtue that they are the leading opposition party.

“This is something that we had expected our friends from the National Unity Platform [NUP] to take a lead in. But as nature abhors a vacuum, I think the DA has picked up the pieces, and said we want to advance this, come along with us,” Amuriat appreciated DA leadership.

The NUP leaders did not just fail to take the lead on the push against the unfair legal framework that gives the incumbent a blanket check to retain his seat amid causing mayhem to the opposition, they are in a spirited fight against any constitutional, and electoral reforms, not shy to say, they are contented with the available electoral laws.

However, Amuriat confirmed that the FDC appreciates the proposed electoral reforms and transitional provisions, which aim to ensure free, fair, and credible elections. He emphasized that these reforms should not be limited to the upcoming elections but should be a continuous process.

When the time came for him to address the press, Mpuuga echoed Amuriat’s sentiments, stating that the DA is committed to engaging with all stakeholders to ensure that the next election represents the wishes and frustrations of the Ugandan people.

“This is indeed a new day for us as Democratic Alliance because when we set out to start to move out, and consult stakeholders, we mentioned political parties as top of our consultations,” Mpuuga said.

Mpuuga explained that the DA would meet with other political parties, saying that they already met with the Justice Forum Party, the FDC and that their next destination would be PPP, and then other parties on their catalogue to further discuss electoral reforms and the transition of governance.

“We [with FDC] have discussed the urgency with which, this push must pick traction and that we have agreed on the obligations of each of the party. He [Amuriat] has mentioned what he is going to do as the head of FDC with his team, and at the DA where we are believed to do more as they have advised us, we are going to move,” Mpuuga remarked.

Mpuuga emphasized the importance of collective action, saying, “We have this one country we call home for all of us to save, and it is the reason why we are here. We will meet everybody willing to make a contribution to ensure that the next election represents the wishes, including the frustrations of our common people for the sake of change in Uganda.”

Mpuuga also touched on the ongoing transition conversations, cautioning that they risk being fraudulent.

“You are aware as the media that the conversation about the transition is ongoing, but ongoing shabbily in a manner that is probably fraudulent, and it is our job as political actors in this space to stop a fraudulent transition of power from one group or individual to another, and that is why we are here rallying our comrades that we all occupy common space,” he revealed.

In conclusion, Mpuuga said, “We want to occupy the space to fruition. You are aware that the FDC is well represented in Parliament, and therefore, out of this conversation, I have no reason to doubt the FDC MPs, will come on board to try and push out of this effort to ensure that the next election is not a ritual.”