The Democratic Party (DP) has resolved to back the Forum for Democratic Change’s (FDC) candidate in Buhweju District Woman MP by elections.
DP spokesperson Fred Mwesigwa
The by-election follows the sudden death of MP Joy Karisa Arinaitwe who was representing the area.
Addressing journalists at the party’s weekly press briefing in Kampala on Tuesday, the party’s spokesperson, Fred Mwesigwa said this was meant to demonstrate solidarity for the common good to avoid regrets as the opposition.
“For the last two weeks our team headed by DP’s vice president Imam Makumbi was on ground and identified a competent candidate but decided to pull out and support FDC’s candidate Jane Frida Bwiruka. The party reached the decision after thorough consultations among party members,” he said.
He said they have learnt from the past of the opposition fronting a fragmented front.
Mwesigwa said in the past DP has been wrongly accused of presenting candidates that end up being spoilers.
“But we cannot apologize for presenting voters with a choice. That is the essence of pluralism and multipartism. We can equally accuse others, especially FDC of being spoilers in some key contests where DP had manifested stronger candidates like in Butambala, Luwero and Bukoto South where DP eventually won against opposition from FDC and NRM,” he added.
He said it was high time other opposition parties wake up and form a united front to fight the common enemy.
Mwesiga also noted that the party will not tolerate indisciplined members of the party who undermine their leaders.
“We expect those who were summoned by the disciplinary committee to show up. If not, they will be punished accordingly for defying party rules,” he added.
A total of 32 Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) are expected to face the party’s disciplinary committee for holding illegal elections contrary to the National Executive Council’s (NEC) decision.
By Jeff Andrew Lule, The New Vision
