Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) are still preparing to hold their own elections at the village level.
The opposition party announced this plan last year, and last night revealed that it is still on course.
The party’s former President Col Dr. Kizza Besigye, said in Kabale yesterday that following government’s failure to organize local council elections for 16 years, FDC thought it necessary to help Ugandans select their own leadership at the grass root level.
Government however, announced in July that resources had been obtained to finally hold local council elections.
The Electoral Commission on August 24 released the road-map for the local council elections, which have been scheduled for November 21st.
According to Besigye however, this program does not affect their own planned election exercise, whose road-map they have haven’t released yet.
“We made all preparations and now we are set to announce the date for the election,” Besigye said while appearing on Freedom FM last night in Kabale Municipality.
The opposition strongman appeared on the station after being blocked from appearing on Voice of Kigezi in the same Municipality by the area RDC.
He revealed on the show that the FDC village elections, unlike those being organized by government will be held by secret ballot.
“Ours will not be held by queuing as that of government,” he said. “Queuing is problematic because it causes animosity. Your neighbor knows that you don’t support them.”
He added, “Ours is a secret ballot. It is very much possible and it doesn’t require a lot of money – even if you are not government – to organize a free and fair election in the village.”