FDC Leadership Overhaul: Amuriat & Mafabi Suspended, Lukwago Appointed Interim President

KAMPALA – The National Executive Council of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has suspended their President, Eng Patrick Oboi Amuriat, and Secretary General Nandala Mafabi from the party.

The National Executive Council of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) took significant actions during an extraordinary National Delegates Conference held at Katonga offices, despite strong objections from heavily deployed police.

In their place, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was appointed as the interim party President.

The FDC members decided to extend the leadership of the party’s organs by an additional six months, starting from October 8th, 2023.

The meeting was overseen by the FDC National Chairman, Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa, and was graced by the presence of Party Founder President Dr. Warren Kizza Besigye, along with other prominent FDC leaders.

In a series of seven resolutions communicated by Party spokesman Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the FDC resolved to establish an interim electoral commission to oversee future party elections.

Additionally, they decided to suspend and investigate Mafabi, Amuriat, and Treasurer General Geoffrey Ekanya regarding their actions within the party.

To fill the roles of the suspended officials, FDC deputy chairperson Lukwago, deputy treasurer Francis Mwijukye, and Harold Kaija, the deputy secretary general, were appointed by the delegates. The FDC also set aside elections organized by Toterebuka Bamwenda.

Notably, these developments occurred just a day after a court had halted the FDC Extraordinary Delegates Conference.

Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the FDC spokesperson, expressed bewilderment at the police’s interference in internal party matters, as they had initially requested security for the conference but were declined.

Despite the court injunction, Francis Mwijukye, the FDC Deputy Treasurer, asserted that the Extraordinary Delegates Conference would proceed, claiming that the halt had been orchestrated by Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi and President Patrick Amuriat.

Mwijukye alleged collusion and a potential conflict of interest, pointing out that Justice Esther Nambayo, who handled several FDC-related cases, including the injunction against the conference, is Nandala’s niece.

In a preceding interview on September 18, Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa questioned the motives of Nandala Mafabi and Patrick Amuriat in their attempts to obstruct the delegates’ conference, suggesting that their disassociation from the event was rooted in budgetary and planning concerns, contrary to his intentions.