Majority parties in The Democratic Alliance (TDA) have endorsed former Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi, as a joint presidential candidate for the 2016 polls. The majority parties are: DP, UPC, JEEMA, Federal Alliance and PPP. TDA is a coalition of the main opposition political parties and pressure groups seeking to wrest power from the ruling NRM at presidential and other elective positions across the country.
At a joint news conference held at TDA office in Naguru a Kampala suburb, Mbabazi, flanked by DP president general Nobert Mao and secretary general Mathias Nsubuga, UPC’s Olara Otunnu, JEEMA’s Kibirige Mayanja and representatives from PPP as well as the Federal Alliance accepted the nomination. He urged FDC flag bearer Dr Kiiza Besigye to join him saying the door for him was still open. Asked about his campaign team, Mbabazi said: “Our primary focus must be on the future of Uganda. We are wiser and stronger if we make this our focal point of our struggle. Patience is a virtue. Please be patient. Why would I hide my team when am going to elections.” Mbabazi’s endorsement follows a news conference addressed by Forum for Democratic Change flag bearer Dr. Kizza Besigye.
Meanwhile ,
Dr Kizza Besigye has revealed that FDC refused to back Hon Amama Mbabazi as TDA’s joint candidate in the 2016 presidential elections due to doubts over his commitment to fight for accountability and good governance. t was hoped that TDA would field a joint candidate against President Museveni in 2016.
However, the arrangement collapsed with TDA members agreeing to field two candidates – Besigye and Mbabazi.
Besigye today clarified that FDC did not have any reservations with Mbabazi being an NRM member. Besigye further said Mbabazi’s determination to change the system of governance was questionable because “he has been in government for 30 years and he never corrected NRM as it was going wrong.” In a another development, Dr Kizza Besigye has returned presidential nomination forms to the Electoral Commission.