Birigwa promised new position as Najjanankumbi faction holds delegates conference

The conference is taking place at Lugogo with about 1200 delegates expected in attendance from different districts around the country.

Addressing the press at the venue, Hon Robert Centenary, the Najjanankumbi faction spokesperson said even after the elections, efforts to reach out to the Katonga faction to return home will carry on.

Centenary pointed out the FDC Chairman, Amb. Wasswa Birigwa whom he said was “hoodwinked” by Dr Kizza Besigye’s group.

“Right now our chairman Birigwa would be here contesting with his fellow elder (Jack Sabiiti) but he’s out there and I am sure he is regretting,” said Centenary.

“He was hoodwinked by Katonga; he was still beloved here. We hope that he can come back home.”

Centenary said if Birigwa is still interested, he can be appointed by the party president to any other position in the party.

A number of candidates are contesting unopposed in today’s elections including Jack Sabiiti for party Chairman, and Nandala Mafaabi for Secretary General.

Meanwhile, some districts including Col Kizza Besigye’s Rukungiri are not participating in the delegates conference, having snubbed last month's grass-root elections.

Centenary says these districts “received orders” from Katonga not to take part in the elections.

He said, however, that after today's conference, they will be reaching out to them separately to try and bring them back to the fold.