The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party President, Eng. Patrick Amuriat Oboi, says it’s time for all forces of change in Uganda to unite for the actual change if they want.
Speaking from the party’s headquarters at Najjanankumbi, Amuriat struck a tone of resilience, acknowledging that while the political terrain has shifted, the FDC remains a “firm star” in Uganda’s democratic struggle.
Reflecting on the party’s performance and the broader opposition’s challenges, Amuriat was candid about the “heavy lifting” required to challenge the status quo. “We have all learnt our lessons about responsibility in Museveni-organised elections,” Amuriat stated.
“Freeing the people of Uganda cannot be the project of any single political organisation. It is a realization that everyone, from NUP to ANT and the PFF, now knows that tackling this junta calls for collective strength.”Amuriat warned that the opposition must either forge a “minimum common platform” or face political annihilation.
He specifically addressed recent comments by the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, regarding the “swallowing” of the opposition.”The opposition is too big to be swallowed. We may lose members, some leaders like Yusuf Nsibambi have chosen that path, but the soul of the opposition lives on so long as citizens believe they are not being governed well.”
Despite what he described as a “system designed to produce only one outcome,” Amuriat celebrated the victory of nine FDC Members of Parliament-elect. These victories, spanning from Arua City and Soroti to Jinja and Kitgum Municipality, were framed as proof of the enduring FDC brand.
In the 11th Parliament, FDC had 32 MPs, second to NUP, the main opposition party with 57 MPs.However, all the opposition parties have lost significant numbers of their seats to the ruling NRM party in the January 15, 2026, elections.
To maximize their impact in the 12th Parliament, Amuriat says the party is planning to equip the nine MPs with a strategic orientation to represent the party’s values. Amuriat says that they have a comprehensive document defining FDC’s stance on budget priorities, oversight, and constitutional matters.
“Parliament will be one of our battlefields,” Amuriat declared. “Our small number will not stand in the way of us being a shining star.” The President outlined an ambitious roadmap for the party’s grassroots leaders, including LC5 and LC3 chairpersons and councillors.
The FDC plans to roll out nationwide training covering governance and service delivery, budgeting and accountability, and representation of marginalized groups (Women, Youth, and PWDs), among others.
On political prisoners, Amuriat said they won’t abandon the fight to free all people suffering in prison over political issues, especially the party’s founding president, Col. (Rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye, who has now spent over 500 days in custody.
“The FDC will not abandon any Ugandan who has suffered for freedom,” he said, calling for clemency and the release of all political prisoners. He argued that true national unity cannot be achieved if “unfairness is meted out on particular sections of the political class.” URN