By Derrick Wandera
The election of Patrick Amuriat as the new Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president has drawn mixed reaction from various party leaders.
For the FDC Vice President Eastern Uganda, Salaam Musumba, Amuriat represents efforts towards breaking marginalized party systems.
Musumba says Amuriat also represents a strong voice and is designed to rebrand the party in the visible manner.
Responding to critics about the flagship defiance campaign, Musumba says the FDC party is nothing without defiance and so it needed someone like Amuriat who believes in the same.
On the other hand, Ibrahim Ssemujju, the opposition Chief Whip and MP for Kira Municipality, it is dangerous for the party to ride on the same defiance campaign that opponent has now mastered.
He however, says they are all ready to work together towards removing the people in power.
Amuriat the former Member of Parliament for Kumi district beat incumbent Maj General Mugisha Muntu with 57.9% against 41.7% of the total votes cast.
The presidential race was a do-or-die affair between Gen Muntu and Amuriat, who is backed by founding President Kiiza Besigye and influential Secretary General Nandala Mafabi, while Muntu was backed by Ibrahim Ssemujju, Member of Parliament for Kira Municipality and Chief Whip for Opposition in Parliament.
He was declared winner by the FDC electoral head Dan Mugarura at a delegates conference held on Friday at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Other candidates in the race were Moses Byamugisha and Daniel Matsiko.
