16-08-12 Ekanya: Its time for a rainbow coalition for FDC Halima Athumani Forum for Democratic Change

presidential aspirant Geoffrey Ekanya says it is time for a rainbow coalition for the party. Ekanya believes FDC alone cannot overwhelm the rigging machinery of the ruling NRM during elections thus the need for an umbrella party. The Tororo county MP without citing names says he is going to identify positive members in the various political parties and convince them to join FDCs coalition plan. Ekanya says through all the previous general elections that Uganda has had, the opposition particularly the FDC has won, but their grassroots supporters have been intimidated by the military might of the NRM. Nicholas Opio a political analyst says however says the coalition will not work. This is because there is a spirit of mutual mistrust between the parties. Opio says the traditional parties such as Democratic Party and Uganda Peoples Congress perceive FDC as an extension of the movement. This is also the reason why the coalition that was set up for the 2011 general elections failed. Opio adds that since FDC regards its self as the stronger opposition political party, the traditional parties see that as under mining them thus the obvious failure for any coalition attempt. Ekanya is contesting for the FDCs top party position against leader of opposition Nandala Mafabi and Gen. Mugisha Muntu who is the partys secretary for mobilization. Party President Dr. Kiiza Besigey is expected to hand over power to the winner of the elections on 22nd November. The shadow finance minister appreciates the military contribution to FDC by Muntu and Mafabis strong financial background. On nomination day Mafabi said Muntu and Ekanya have no experience in mobilizing and recruiting members to the party. Ekanya maintains despite the intimidation in his own home town of Tororo he has managed to convert some NRM members into FDC just as he did previously with Mafabi and Muntu in Reform Agenda. But Mike Mukula an NRM presidential aspirant says a coalition is hard to sustain. He believes NRM is still a strong party that cannot negotiate itself out of power and whoever joins hands with the opposition will be doing it for personal reasons. In terms of moving forward and diversity, Ekanya believes he can add more value into mobilizing an overwhelming mass strength. Ekanya says as an Itesot, he has a strong attachment with the Luo community, he believes in Federalism for Buganda and his step sisters come from Western Uganda.

Ekanya also says he will encourage change and suggestions that build the party, denying allegations that he related with the NRM for personal reasons. However, in case he loses the election Ekanya promises to support whoever wins the election but still believes he can be the leader of this country in the future.