By ALEX PITHUA

The Forum for Democratic Change Party, FDC, has embarked on a course to take over Northern and Eastern Uganda as Uganda heads to yet another periodic general election. The party's leadership have asserted.

The FDC's officials who pitched camp in Northern Uganda, observed that they are optimistic to gain might in the two regions come sunshine, come rainfall, no storm shall wash them away.

They said enormous unaddressed looming waves of poverty couples with frustrating widespread land grabbing by the Balalo in Acholi sub-region, and rudimentary enforcement over the water bodies by the UPDF fisheries protection Units, are blamed on the government.

Being led by FDC party stalwart former Obongi county parliamentarian who doubled as acting president of the FDC, Hassan Kaps Fungaroo, the prodigal son of West Nile sub-region, the team have commenced structures mobilization on Thursday 22nd May 2025 in Pakwach district then heads to Obongi district, Arua city, Amuru district, Gulu city, Kitgum among others.

Speaking to their supporters at the Albertine hotel in Pakwach town council, Fungaroo and Jonathan Ebwalu of Soroti city, termed defections of Jonam county MP Emmanuel Ongiertho and Kilak North county MP, Anthony Akol to NRM party as a big joke and will never provide solidifying grounds in Northern Uganda considering the fundamental questions of land grabbing by the Balalo and biting poverty in the region.

“We’re not going to allow NRM to take over these districts of the North and East including cities and Municipalities.” Fungaroo vowed during his keynote address to FDC supporters in Pakwach.

He added “we have come to respond to the issues of defections within the FDC and Emmanuel Ongiertho, Election road map for 2026, FDC today generally and lastly Uganda to day and Pakwach.”

These include human rights abuses on people and land grabbing, he stressed further.

Fungaroo “FDC is now stable, the wrangles that led to the splits in the party is not money but thirst for position for flag bearer which started immediately at the time of organizing 2016 general elections,”

While Ebwalu said this time opposition members will occupy crucial offices in greater Northern and Eastern with prominence of Nandala Mafabi, Amuriat, Gilbert Olanya, UPC president Jimmy Akena as they uproot NRM.

This heat waves and battle for Northern and Eastern Uganda is eminent as the puwing plumes of black smoke covers the various opposition parties in the country, especially splitting in the FDC, which started with Gen. Mugisha Muntu, registering ANT party earlier, Dr. Besigye Kiza registering PFF party this month and NUP as well faced a significant splits as former LOP Mathias Mpuga forming his political party after failing to resolve their difference in boardroom with NUP principal Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi after Mpuga receiving bounty amount purportedly as service award.

On the other hands, the FDC Katonga office of Dr. Besigye have accused Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Najanakumbi that they have involved in bribery scandal purportedly facilitated by NRM leadership, accusations NRM party have distanced self from.

In Pakwach district, FDC leaders see a potentially fertile ground as a number of their members occupy offices of Local Councils, such as LC I Chairpersons, LC II Chairpersons, sub-counties and town council councillors and even district councillors respectively.

The West Nile people has all along have been bitter about failure to tarmac major roads in the sub-region and lack of districts hospitals in a number of district like Zombo, Madi-Okollo among others.

Ocan Gilbert the FDC chairperson for Pakwach district and Robert Ocaki FDC Chairperson of Pakwach town council provided convincing information for the FDC party to attract crusaders in the area.

Pakwach district FDC cadres in their speeches recounted the significant loss of Akol and Ongiertho for crossing to NRM, two others joining NUP and five including Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda formed PFF party.

Alex Pithua is news editor at zoomer Africa