The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has initiated a financial empowerment program for its youth leaders in preparation for the 2026 general elections. During the launch of the Sironko District FDC Youth SACCO over the weekend, Patrick Amuriat Oboi, the party president, emphasized the nationwide initiative to encourage youth leaders to form SACCOs and provide them with financial support.
Amuriat stated, “The National Resistance Movement NRM party has been using the advantage of youths from the opposition being poor to buy them and cross to their party when they come towards elections ending up weakening the opposition side. This time, it will be challenging for the NRM to lure opposition youths, especially from the FDC, as we are empowering them financially through SACCOs.”
Phiona Nakayenze, the Eastern Region FDC Youth Chairperson and Sironko District FDC Youth Chairperson, shared that the newly launched SACCO already has over 50 members. It aims to assist FDC youths in Sironko and the Bugisu region with low-interest loans to start businesses. Nakayenze mentioned plans to lobby for additional funds from development partners and friends within Uganda and worldwide, with upcoming launches in other regions, starting with Sebei next week and Busoga subsequently.
Richard Wabusa, FDC Chairperson of Budadiri West Constituency in Sironko, representing FDC General Secretary Nathan Nandala Mafabi, stressed the pivotal role of these empowered youths in mobilizing support for FDC candidates in the 2026 general elections.
“As FDC, we are ready to compete with NRM and other political parties from the Local Council (LC) level to the presidency in the 2026 general elections,” Wabusa declared. He criticized the NRM government for using youths in opposition suppression rather than supporting them with impactful programs for the past 45 years.
Margret Wokuri, the FDC Deputy President Eastern Region, assured supporters that the FDC remains a strong and stable party, dismissing attempts by “Museveni’s agents” to divide it. She expressed optimism about FDC’s chances in the 2026 general elections based on new strategies. Isaiah Sasaga, Member of Parliament representing Budadiri East Constituency on the FDC ticket, urged FDC youth leaders to view the SACCO as a vital tool in the fight against poverty.
“FDC supporters and leaders face challenges such as discrimination in government programs like youth livelihood and parish model. They are also excluded from public job opportunities at districts and other government organs,” Sasaga highlighted. Abudu Kadidi expressed his joy, anticipating that this empowerment would uplift FDC youths in the area, enabling them to enhance their daily income. He cited previous discrimination by the district and government organs in accessing government programs, which the SACCO aims to address.
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