The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party has openly celebrated the election of its former top leaders to the helm of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in both Soroti District and Soroti City.
The message of congratulations were shared by FDC Deputy Treasurer and Soroti City East flag bearer Moses Okia Attan and Celestine Alou the FDC Leader for Kapelebyong district, who emphasized the importance of grooming and nurturing leaders, regardless of where their political journeys eventually take them.
Attan, in a post on social media on Friday evening, said the election results in Soroti underscore the FDC’s enduring impact on Uganda’s political landscape, even when some of its former stalwarts find new homes in rival political formations.
“Nature’s leaders always find their way,” Attan said. “Don’t forget the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda. The NRM elections report must include the contribution of the FDC. Long live the FDC Party!”
Attan’s statement comes in the wake of the recent NRM internal elections, where former FDC District Chairperson John Enomu was elected NRM Chairperson for Soroti City, defeating incumbent Willy Bisanga with 48 votes to 15.
In a parallel landslide victory, Soroti City East MP Hon. Herbert Edmund Ariko Okworo, also formerly associated with FDC, was elected the new NRM District Chairperson after securing 269 votes. His rivals failed to secure a single vote.
Rather than lament the loss of its former allies to the NRM, the FDC has chosen to highlight the long-term investment it made in developing leadership talent.
“To my FDC Party members, thank you for identifying, grooming, and helping leaders rise using the FDC Party platform,” Attan noted.
“Our friends in the NRM recognize the value of multiparty politics. Tolerate those who don’t agree with you, because one day, some of them might help provide leadership, just like we’ve seen in Soroti.”
The FDC’s response reflects a broader message of political tolerance and coexistence.
Attan emphasized that being in a different political party, or even competing within the same party, does not make individuals enemies.
He urged both FDC and NRM supporters to see beyond party colors and focus on building a united Uganda through the strength of democratic institutions.
“We can coexist in diversity for the good of Ugandans,” he said. “Even contesting against each other within the same party isn’t a sign of enmity. It’s part of the democratic process.”
“To those who didn’t win in the NRM races, grab the lessons,” Attan advised. “There are still more battles ahead. Primaries for flag bearers are coming soon, and this is just the beginning.”
Alou in a statement said, “On behalf of FDC Kapelebyong District Executive Committee, FDC fraternity and on my own behalf, we wish to congratulate the NRM Kapelebyong for the successful Party structure elections that culminated in the election of the NRM district Executive Committee earlier today.”
He added that, “We congratulate Hon. Patrick Ipalat and his team that won today’s elections. We look forward to fruitful and positive engagement with you in our quest to transform Kapelebyong district and offer much desired service to our people.”
“As FDC, we believe in healthy political competition as envisaged by our constitution. We abhore politics of suppression and intolerance. We call upon all political forces in Kapelebyong to show a shinning example to the rest of the country that difference in opinion, ideology is not enemity. We want to believe that your leadership of the NRM in the district will enhance efforts to stamp out corruption and appalling service delivery that has bedevilled our beloved district.”
He concluded his message noting that, “As we move towards the 2026 elections, we call for unity, tolerance and positive engagement for the sake of development in Kapelebyong and Uganda. Wishing you all joyous celebrations.”
Though the FDC has seen some of its most prominent members cross over to the ruling NRM in recent years, the party continues to position itself as a breeding ground for leadership and policy innovation.
Its role in Uganda’s multiparty system is evident in how many of its former leaders continue to shape public life, even after switching affiliations.
Political analysts have praised the FDC’s handling of the situation, calling it a mature and strategic approach that emphasizes long-term values over short-term political competition.
“What the FDC is doing is rare in Ugandan politics, celebrating its role in developing national leaders, even when they no longer wear the FDC colors,” said Dr. Peter Musamali, a political analyst based in Mbale. “This shows the kind of institutional maturity Uganda needs.”
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