FDC Mourns the late Dr. James Garuga Musinguzi.
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. James Musinguzi Garuga, a stalwart champion of democracy and a founding leader as well as a pillar of our Party’s foundation, and his contributions to Uganda’s democratic journey will forever be etched in our history. His untimely departure leaves a void in our struggle for a better Uganda.
Dr. James Musinguzi Garuga, a well-known Ugandan businessman and philanthropist, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, August 6, 2025, after battling cancer for over a year, the disease spread to his liver, making his condition more serious. He was pronounced dead at Nakasero Hospital – Kampala.
Dr. Garuga’s contributions to Uganda’s democratic journey, particularly in the formative years of the Reform Agenda and the FDC, will forever be remembered. As Secretary for Economic Affairs, he played a pivotal role in shaping our party’s foundation, demonstrating unwavering courage, wisdom, and generosity.
The late Dr. Garuga was an exceptionally generous individual. His financial contributions were instrumental in establishing the FDC Party’s headquarters here at Najjanankumbi. Many leaders owe their endeavors to his financial support. He was a peace builder notably, during times of internal conflict within the Party, Dr. Garuga played a pivotal role in brokering peace among warring factions, fostering harmony and unity. His absence will be deeply felt, and he will be greatly missed.
He was not only successful in real estate and education, but he was also known for giving back to his community in Kanungu District. He helped support schools, clean water projects, and healthcare services in the Kigezi region.
In honour of the late Dr. Garuga, FDC Party President Hon. Eng. Patrick Amuriat Oboi and Party Secretary General Rt. Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi will lead the Party in mourning him at his funeral and burial grounds in Rugyeyo, Kanungu.
The FDC is deeply concerned and troubled by the growing trend of medical tourism, where Ugandans are forced to seek treatment abroad due to inadequate healthcare facilities at home.
The recent passing of Dr. Garuga, whose family faced visa delays that prevented timely medical attention abroad, highlights the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure.
We hold the NRM government, in power for 40 years, accountable for failing to provide quality healthcare, leading to this predicament. The FDC is committed to reversing this trend and will prioritize health and wellness in our 2026 campaign manifesto, ensuring that Ugandans receive the medical care they deserve at home.
As we lay Dr. Garuga to rest today in Kanungu, we take a moment to reflect on his remarkable life and service to our nation. May he be remembered for his selflessness, leadership, and commitment to the ideals of democracy and justice he stood for.
On behalf of the FDC, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. May his legacy continue to inspire us,
May God grant his family strength and comfort during this difficult time, Rest in peace Dr. Garuga.
FDC Mourns Adios Denmark Beinomugisha
It is with profound sadness that we received the news of the passing of Denmark Adios Beinomugisha. As a former Guild President of Bishop Stuart University – Mbarara and FDC Youth Parliamentary Candidate for the Western Region 2021, Denmark exemplified exceptional leadership, dedication, and vision. We had the privilege of witnessing his growth and passion for excellence, and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him.
On Saturday, FDC National Youth Leader Mr. Adepo Francis led party members and leaders in paying their last respects to the late Denmark Adios, a former FDC Youth Leader, at his burial in Bugangari, Rukungiri. Denmark was known for his vibrant leadership and passion for service. The FDC family came together to celebrate his life and legacy.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family in Rukungiri, friends, and loved ones. May Denmark’s legacy continues to inspire future generations, and may his family find strength during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
FDC National Council Meeting
The FDC Party National Chairman, Hon. Jack Sabiiti, has called a National Council meeting scheduled for this Wednesday, August 13th, 2025, at the Party Headquarters in Najjanankumbi. This meeting, the party’s second-highest decision-making forum, will focus on key party business, including:
1.Ratifying Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi as the FDC Presidential Candidate for 2026.
2. Officially unveiling him as the party flag bearer and handing over the necessary instruments.
3. Launching the FDC 2026-2031 campaign manifesto, which outlines our social contract with the people of Uganda.
4. Update on the health of the Party.
The manifesto has been prepared by a team led by Hon. Margaret Madanda Wokuri, FDC Deputy President for Eastern Uganda. All National Council members are expected to attend the meeting, which will start at 9:00 AM sharp.
The media is hereby invited to cover this important meeting.
Adjustment of the Electoral Commission Road map
As you’re aware, on Friday, The Chairman of Electoral Commission Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi released adjusted electoral roadmap for the nomination of candidates for Local Government Councils Elections including Special Interest Groups (Youths, Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons) elections, which was initially scheduled to commence on 3rd September 2025 and end on 12th September, 2025 for all levels of Local Government.
The nomination exercise has been disaggregated by level of Local Government Council Elections, rescheduled and will now be conducted as follows:
District/City (Chairpersons, Lord Mayor and Councillors): The nominations will be conducted from Wednesday, 3rd September 2025 to Friday, 5th September, 2025 at the office of the respective District/City Returning Officer;
Municipality/City Division (Chairpersons and Councillors): The nominations will be conducted from Monday, 8th September, 2025 to Wednesday, 10th September, 2025 at the office of the respective District/City Returning Officer.
Sub County/Town/Municipal Divisions (Chairpersons and Councillors): The nominations will be conducted from Thursday, 11th September 2025 to Wednesday, 24th September, 2025, excluding the weekend, at the respective County Headquarter.
The Commission has further adjusted the nomination of candidates for Parliamentary Elections including Special Interest Groups (Youths, Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons) which was earlier scheduled to be conducted from 16th September 2025 to 17th September, 2025. The nominations will now take place on Wednesday, 15th October 2025 and Thursday, 16th October 2025 at the office of the respective District/City Returning Officer.
The Party is concerned with the adjustments by the Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi led Electoral Commission roadmap for the 3rd time in row. First of all, the sporadic adjustments affect the Party’s internal arrangements and organization since the Party initially crafted its electoral road map basing on the Uganda Electoral Commission. That means the Party must keep on updating the internal road map which affects the planning, resource mobilization and implementation of the Party electoral road map and to a larger extent it affects our prospective candidates at all levels.
The Party is further concerned with lack of stakeholder’s participation while the electoral body undertake to review its road map especially, we the political parties. The time left for electoral activities is too short to ensure a fair process. This adjusted roadmap fails to serve its intended purpose of creating an equal playing field for all players.
This adjusted road map is here to favor NRM, we think Electoral Commission makes changes and decisions following what NRM wants and does not mind other political parties. It’s disheartening that the Electoral Commission which ordinarily is a referee in these elections spending more time on aiding Mr. Museveni and NRM to rig this election. They have cut short the campaign period to advantage the incumbent.
It should be noted that Mr. Museveni has spent 3years doing campaigns hiding under the guise of PDM monitoring but we in the opposition we are restricted from engaging the population.
Finally, FDC is urging the Electoral Commission to adopt a standardized election calendar with fixed dates, similar to the United States, where election dates are constitutionally entrenched. This would enable the Commission to plan and program its activities over
the five-year electoral cycle, ensuring better preparedness and organization.