{UAH} Five reasons why Mafabi beat Wadri - National
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Five reasons why Mafabi beat Wadri
Kampala. Mr Nandala Mafabi's landslide victory over Mr Kassiano Wadri for the post of FDC secretary general (SG), perhaps came as no surprise.
Unlike the other contestants who started by telling the delegates what they have done (Mr Wasswa Birigwa told people he had "brought mobile phones to Uganda", while Mr Odonga Otto talked of the many degree certificates he has), Mr Mafabi from the word go appealed to their hearts.
First, Mr Mafabi charmed Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu's supporters. In 2012, he contested for the FDC president but lost to Maj Gen Muntu.
"Whoever says I won't [work with Maj Gen Muntu], test me," Mr Mafabi said, adding: "I am coming to ensure that we build a strong FDC so that we can take power."
This worked the delegates into a frenzy. They ululated, drowning his speech.
Second, he apologised to those he might have wronged. "I might have stepped on your feet. I apologise to anybody I might have wronged," Mr Mafabi said.
Third, the Aruu County MP, Mr Odonga Otto, who had also picked nomination forms that morning, withdrew his candidacy for Mr Mafabi. "When the election for FDC president came, there was a thinking that radicalism and street battles cannot take us anywhere; [so] let us try gentlemen. Where are the gentlemen taking us? On this note, I apologise to all my supporters and request all of you to elect Nandala Mafabi. I am stepping down," Mr Odonga said.
Fourth, Mr Kassiano Wadri, a contestant for the same post, rubbed some delegates the wrong way. He said if the people of northern Uganda do not get the slot of secretary general, "our position as being in this party is rendered irrelevant".
On hearing this, many of the delegates booed him.
Fifth, Mr Mafabi talked about easing the party's district officials' travel arrangement. Ms Alice Alaso, the outgoing secretary general, had just told them they should be ready to transport themselves – since they are considered volunteers.
Mr Mafabi told delegates should he become the SG, the party would facilitate the trips to Kampala from upcountry and back and promised that by the end of his five–year term, they will have "transport" in their districts for purposes of mobility.
Further, he told the voters "to confirm I will begin work immediately. Before the district general secretaries leave Kampala, they will get a mobile phone [from me] so that they can start communicating with the new secretary general of the party."
So what will Mafabi do now that he is secretary general?
The first thing he will embark on is to ensure the district offices start operating immediately.
"I want you to all allow me to make sure these offices operate so that information can flow from the top to the bottom to the village and from down up to the centre. We have the capacity to do that," Mr Mafabi said.
He also intends to "empower the youth and women leagues so that they can have something to put in their pocket so that you can do work for the party".
nwesonga@ug.nationmedia.com
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