Amid growing speculation that the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) may forgo party primaries in Teso sub-region in favor of endorsing incumbents, the party's Electoral Commission has moved to reassure aspirants and stakeholders by conducting assessments and consultations in Soroti City.
On Friday, a team from the FDC Electoral Commission in Kampala, led by Chief Electoral Commissioner Toterebuka Bamusenda Boniface, met with aspirants from various political levels in Soroti City as part of the ongoing nationwide assessment of candidates ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Speaking during the engagement, Toterebuka dismissed the swirling rumors, emphasizing that the process of identifying party flagbearers is still underway and is being guided strictly by the party’s constitution and national legal frameworks.
"I don’t know why there is worry. We are within our party guidelines, our constitution, and the legal documents of the country," Toterebuka said in an interview. He added that FDC is moving across the country to interact with aspirants and local electoral officers in accordance with Article 29, Clause 2, Paragraph H of the party constitution, which mandates the party to supervise and vet candidates for elections.
He reiterated that all aspiring candidates will undergo a thorough vetting process as prescribed in the party guidelines. "Let no one be stampeded. FDC is taking its own time to ensure a transparent and fair process," Toterebuka emphasized.
Patrick Anoku, a parliamentary aspirant for Soroti City West, welcomed the visit by the Electoral Commission, saying the feedback obtained from the aspirants during the engagement would inform the Commission’s next course of action.
However, some aspirants expressed concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the primary election process. Juliet Agonyo, the current Speaker of Soroti City East and a woman MP aspirant for Soroti City, voiced her dissatisfaction with the outcome of the engagement.
"For me, I was not satisfied because the officials did not tell us when they would communicate their final decision on whether or not primaries will be held," Agonyo said. She added that the delay is causing anxiety among both aspirants and voters. "People are already asking me when the party will conduct primaries. The general election is drawing near, and it feels like time is cheating us."
The FDC leadership has not officially confirmed whether it will proceed with primaries or opt for a consensus or vetting-based selection of candidates in Teso. The situation remains fluid as aspirants and party members await further communication from the national Electoral Commission.
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