It was a moment of joy on Thursday morning as the Forum for Democratic Change Electoral Commission declared founding leader Dr Kizza Besigye the party\u2019s Presidential flag-bearer during the party delegates\u2019 conference at Mandela National Stadium.<\/p>\n
Despite a few hitches, voting went on well and by 9:42pm over 1,000 delegates from different parts of the country had finished casting their votes.<\/p>\n
15 minutes into the tallying exercise, it was clear that Besigye would emerge victorious.
\nAt exactly 12:16 am, the Electoral Commission chairperson Dan Mugarura, declared Besigye the winner and rightful FDC flag bearer.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Kizza Besigye has polled 718 votes against Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu\u2019s 289 votes and there has been only one invalid vote. I therefore declare Besigye the Forum for Democratic Change flag bearer for 2016,\u201dMugarura announced amidst jubilations by the FDC strongman\u2019s supporters.<\/p>\n
For Dr. Kizza Besigye, the win marks another big hurdle ahead of the opposition as they prepare to confront President Museveni in the 2016 general elections in a bid to take power.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis marks the beginning of real work. There is now hard work ahead of us but I have hope in the energy that I have realized in our people and leaders during the campaigns. Together we can achieve what is ahead of us,\u201d the opposition strongman said on Thursday morning.
\nBesigye however said there was no time to wait for organization before confronting the enemy but rather start from nowhere to somewhere if they are to achieve their goals.<\/p>\n
The FDC stalwart noted that they ought to start tackling the problem where it lies than waiting to be organized as had been suggested by the party president Gen. Muntu, adding that this might never be achieved.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am going to work and see that whatever we have achieved both in the party and outside is used to tackle the problem ahead of us,\u201d said Besigye.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will use the flag you have given me to the best of my abilities. I may make mistakes but in good faith doing what I think is the best for us all.\u201d<\/p>\n
{{Muntu Concedes Defeat}}<\/p>\n
In his acceptance speech shortly after the announcements, Muntu who looked strong said he believes in the God of Jacob, Isaac and Abraham whom he said is a God of power and will keep him focused despite losing the election.<\/p>\n
The former army commander noted that the win was not for Besigye as an individual but that the party at large would benefit from his election as their flag-bearer in the forthcoming elections.<\/p>\n
Muntu noted that it\u2019s high time they began processes he said would be crucial in seeing the party take over the highest office in the country in 2016.
\n\u201cThis is not a loss because I am a long distance runner who knows that every dark cloud there is a silver lining. I went to the bush while I was 23 years but at 29 I was made the army commander. I remained stable and focused. We have achieved a lot during this election but it\u2019s time we now starting organizing for 2016 elections.\u201d<\/p>\n
Muntu warned that the period before elections will be crucial for the party and its leadership as far as taking power in the forthcoming elections is concerned.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he (Besigye) wasn\u2019t the right man, the remaining time will judge. I hope we are not going to have two parallel forces within the party and if this happens, we will not be able to take power. I am not a prophet but intelligent enough to tell what might happen,\u201d Muntu warned.<\/p>\n
{{2016 fears}}<\/p>\n
However, Soroti District woman MP Angeline Osege who also doubled as the leader of Muntu\u2019s campaign team said she accepted defeat to Besigye but noted that she is not sure of the times ahead of the party.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe delegates have voted but what I don\u2019t understand is where we are headed with one month to nomination. We can\u2019t change what has happened because the delegates have voted but I will wait to see what will turn out. I hope his leadership will have an impact,\u201d Osege told this website in an interview.<\/p>\n
Besigye will now represent Uganda\u2019s strongest opposition party at the Democratic Alliance where the platform is expected to front a single candidate to challenge President Museveni in the 2016 presidential elections.<\/p>\n
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