FDC set to announce decision on whether to remain in or pull out of 2021 presidential race

Uganda’s main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is set to declare its final resolution on whether to stay or pull out of the 2021 presidential race over violence.

The decision, expected to be announced on November 19, comes on the heels of the violence that broke out in Kampala and other urban centres over the arrest of presidential candidates.

On November 18, police arrested FDC’s Patrick Oboi Amuriat in the northern city of Gulu and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in the district of Luuka.

The protests that followed the arrests saw three people killed and 34 others injured, according to police.

The violence prompted former army commander Maj Gen (Rtd) Gregg Mugisha Muntu, the candidate for the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), to cancel his campaigns in solidarity with Amuriat and Bobi Wine.

Now, the FDC has called a presser to announce its decision on staying or pulling out of the race.

Party Chairman Amb Wasswa Biriggwa, Secretary General Nathan Nandala-Mafabi, and  Spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju will make the announcement at the FDC headquarters at Najjanankumbi November 19 morning.

Speaking shortly after his release from police detention, Amuriat said: “We will decide our next course of action: whether we will continue in this shabby exercise or think in terms of suspending our activities.”

But Amuriat insisted his arrest, detention and alleged torture would not deter him from struggling to liberate Uganda from the Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni ‘dictatorship.’

Pulling out of the race could see the return of opposition strongman Dr Kizza Besigye and the implementation of his Plan B.

After four futile attempts at the country’s top seat, Besigye declined to run for president to work on ‘Plan B.’