By James Ojok Onono & James Owich
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President Mugisha Muntu has called on senior members of the party in Gulu to rally behind Simon Toolit Akecha, the official flagbearer for the Omoro LCV seat.
Muntu’s plea follows a move by some members of FDC led by Gulu district Chairman Ojara Martin Mapenduzi to support Douglas Peter Okello, the former Gulu district Speaker and former Gulu NRM Chairperson who is also a candidate for the Omoro LCV seat. Mr Okello is running as an independent.
Despite Mr Okello’s announcement late last month that he (Okello) had quit the NRM, he has not officially joined any opposition party.
According to Christopher Acire, the former Gulu Municipality MP who is also an FDC member, the conflict in FDC is arising because Toolit’s candidature was never a decision of the party.
In a press address on Saturday after a two- day closed door meeting with FDC members at Pearl Afrique in Gulu town, FDC President Muntu said the party had resolved to support not only Toolit but also all the other FDC candidates.
Muntu, a retired army commander said negotiations will continue with those who do not agree with the party position since it is one of the ways FDC believes is best in resolving conflicts.
The FDC has meanwhile named Simon Oyet, the Nwoya County MP and Michael Lakony, the Amuru LCV Chairperson as those who will be charged with running of campaigns for all the party candidates in Omoro.
The divisions in the FDC has led to speculation that it could affect the performance of the party in Omoro.
Kelly Komakech, the Pece Division Chairman and one of those who has gone against the party position and is supporting Independent candidate Douglas Peter Okello, said he was doing so in his ‘‘own capacity’’ and not as an FDC party member.
Mr Komakech explained that much as Muntu is pushing forward with the party official’s position, he [Komakech] will continue to support Mr Okello for the Omoro LCV seat and not Toolit, the FDC candidate.
The FDC party General Secretary for Gulu district, Wilson Oyat Chagga says the conduct of his party members could tantamount to indiscipline. Chagga warned that the errant members could be subjected to disciplinary action because of their action which is contrary to the party constitution.
Simon Toolit Akecha said the show of support by party members is a confidence in his candidate and said he was optimistic of winning the Omoro LCV seat.
Toolit is the former Omoro member of parliament and has twice (2006 and 2011) lost to Jacob Oulanyah, the Deputy Speaker of parliament.
