Tensions and mistrust between Kamwokya based party National Unity Platform (NUP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) have widened after the former decided to abandon the latter in favor for Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) in the forthcoming by-election in Serere County.
On Tuesday 7th February 2023 while speaking to the media, the NUP Spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi revealed that NUP will back Alaso a fielded member for ANT.
NUP also refused to root for its two party members, Jerry Okello, and Joel Obore, who expressed interest in carrying the NUP flag.
According to the FDC, NUP’s decision to support ANT is a blow to the spirit of united forces for change, because the FDC rejected the idea of flanking with ANT due to sharp differences that FDC Party President Eng. Patrick Oboi described as irreconcilable.
FDC’s Patrick Oboi accused members of ANT of stepping out of his party and vowed not to forgive them until they come back home.
Because it was the song in last year’s by-elections such as Soroti East and Bukimbiri, FDC expected NUP to dine with it in the Serere by-election.
However, FDC wonders why NUP has abandoned them at a time when it needed them the most, yet they claim to be in coalition.
“There is a saying that the friend of my enemy is my enemy, so FDC members should think about it,” an FDC leader who preferred anonymity said.
The Serere County parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of Patrick Okabe, who along with his wife Christine died in an accident along the Mbale-Tirinyi route on December 19, 2022.
According to the roadmap issued by the electoral commission earlier in January, the nomination of candidates will take place on February 9 and 10, 2023, at the Serere District Returning Officer’s office.
The Electoral Commission further revealed that campaign meetings will last only nine days from February 13 to February 21, and elections will take place on February 23.