Besigye named allied opposition candidate

Federal Democratic Change (FDC), President Kiiza Besigye will face off with President Museveni and other Presidential candidates after being announced the flag bearer for the Interparty Cooperation (IPC) today. Besigye was chosen by consensus and not elections as earlier communicated by the cooperation. This comes after the official pull out of UPC from the cooperation that brings together four opposition parties, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Justice Forum (JEEMA), Conservative Party (CP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP). The cooperation nominated flag bearer candidates on August 17. The withdraw of UPC is reported to have irked the opposition with the opposition leader of parliament professor Ogenga Latigo saying that Otunnu and the UPC alone cannot achieve anything by themselves.

Reports had indicated that UPCâ€™s withdrawal was as a disagreement over boycotting the 2011 elections, however Ibrahim Ssemujju, the Cooperation spokesman said that Otunnu wantedÂ IPC to fight for free and fair elections and halt the campaign of electing IPC presidential flag bearer which they did not agree with . UPC joins DP which disagreed with IPC from the start and this fragmentation of the opposition, Experts say, is likely to cut into the oppositions block vote.Â

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what does thi tell about 2011 general elections?
written by Rebecca Kukundakwe, September 01, 2010

IPC elects a flag bearer by consensus and not by election. In a multiparty dispensation where there is presumed to be increased vigilance and citizenhip participation, this is a sign of political immaturity! How then does this reflect the views of ugandans in the different political parties under UPC.- This is not democratic at all.

This coupled with the current trends of electoral violence among NRM Primary elections in the different districts leaves alot to be done. where is the role of the state and other actors in this?

Congratulations: But poor and out numbered, it is an uphill task.
written by Lakwena, September 02, 2010

Fine, Dr. Besigye got the flag. We congratulate him, and those who, for very many good reasons have confidence him and sacrificed their ambition or positions. But the problem is no longer whether Besigye will win the next election. The biggest problem is whether the IPC member parties will martial enough members of parliament to lead a government. Poor and out numbered, it is an uphill task. The bacon, butter and bread are on display. The NRM leadership in record time successfully gerrymandered voters through the Districtlization of even Sub-counties. This puts the opposition in a very tight and awkward political position.

Will this help the opposition to win?
written by Bampa peluth, September 14, 2010

What remains in the mind of many Ugandans is whether the election of Besigye as an Ipc flag bearer will enable opposition to win. this more of a disappointment to many people that had their hopes in Ipc. one wonders whether a group following consensus principles can easily make a nation democratic?

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Besigye named allied opposition candidate

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