The leaders of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party at Najjanankumbi have initiated engagements with different leaders of the opposition political parties to consent to their flag-bearer in the forthcoming by-election for the Woman Member of Parliament for Dokolo district.

According to Walid Mulindwa Lubega, the Deputy Secretary for Publicity (publication and documentation) at Najjanankumbi, top leaders of the FDC, including Patrick Oboi Amuriat, the party president, are in talks with Robbert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party (DP), and Jimmy Akena of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), among others, to withdraw their fronted candidates and back the late Cecilia’s daughter, Dr. Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal, who was fronted to run on an FDC ticket.

Lubaga made the revelation while speaking during a press conference that was held at the FDC party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Entebbe Road, on Monday, February 19, 2024.

“The FDC top leadership led by President Amuriat is also in high gear, engaging opposition party leaders like Robbert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu of the NUP, Norbert Mau of the DP, and Jimmy Akena of the UPC in a bid to rally behind the FDC flag bearer,” he said.

He said that FDC believes it has been the incumbent of Dokolo since it has been holding the Woman Member of Parliament position and LC V at the district level, adding that such a background makes Alwoc have a pedigree over other contestants.

Alwoc is set to battle over 13 contestants, including Sarah Aguti Nyankori of the UPC and Janet Rose Adong Elau of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), among others who were knocked out by her mother, the late Cecilia Ogwal, in the 2021 general election.

In contrast, Wasswa Birigwa, the National Chairperson for the FDC Katonga faction, has revealed that they have no plans to front a candidate in the Dokolo district by-election.

The seat fell vacant following the demise of Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal on January 18, 2024.