Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President Patrick Oboi Amuriat has spoken out following backlash over his decision to receive the prestigious Nana Akufo African Democracy Award on behalf of detained opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye. Amid growing speculation about a deepening rift within the FDC, Amuriat insisted that his actions were guided by respect and loyalty, not self-interest, describing his disagreement with Besigye as “purely political” and “never personal.”

Mr. Amuriat returned from Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday carrying the award that was presented to Dr. Besigye and six other Africans recognized for their outstanding sacrifice in promoting democracy and service to humanity across the continent. The award was handed out by Ghana’s former president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during the Democracy Union of Africa (DUA) Forum 2025. Dr. Besigye, who is currently incarcerated, was unable to attend, prompting organizers to request that Amuriat, as FDC’s current president, receive the honor on his behalf.

In a statement, Amuriat said he accepted the award with “great humility” and a deep sense of duty to honor Dr. Besigye’s lifelong commitment to Uganda’s democratic struggle. However, he also addressed what he called “unfortunate misunderstandings” within the FDC ranks following the ceremony. He revealed that former FDC vice president Hon. Salaamu Musumba, who was also present at the forum, had expressed anger after he was chosen to receive the award instead of her. “Hon. Musumba later attacked me for receiving the award, and I believe her greatest pain arose from her wanting the limelight associated with it,” he said.

The FDC president noted that the DUA leadership had discussed the matter before agreeing that, as the most senior FDC official in attendance, he was the rightful person to collect the award. “There was no lobbying, no politics, and certainly no self-promotion. I simply honored a request from the organizers,” Amuriat explained. He dismissed claims that he was using the moment to gain political mileage, saying the gesture was symbolic and intended to keep Besigye’s contributions to democracy alive in the public eye.

Reflecting on his long history with Dr. Besigye, Amuriat became visibly emotional, recounting their shared struggles and personal sacrifices over the past two decades. “I have worked very closely with Dr. Besigye for over 20 years, including coordinating his field activities during the 2016 presidential elections,” he said. “I once lay beside him on a bare floor at Nagalama Police Station for 13 days during our incarceration. That is not the kind of bond that breaks over politics.” He emphasized that while the two may differ on certain political approaches, his respect and admiration for Besigye remain intact.

Addressing criticism about why he had not visited Besigye in prison, Amuriat said his absence was a deliberate decision to prevent further tensions. “My not visiting Dr. Besigye in prison is largely because of the hate campaign the people around him have leveled against me,” he said. “My biggest motivation for staying away has been to maintain peace and avoid creating more trouble for him.” He noted that political divisions within the FDC have been fueled by individuals he described as “vultures feeding off another man’s political misfortune,” adding that he plans to meet Dr. Besigye soon to discuss the matter privately.

Despite the storm surrounding his decision, Amuriat concluded by reaffirming Besigye’s significance to Uganda’s democratic movement, calling him “the number one driving force in the bid for the freedom of Ugandans.” He announced that since the award cannot be kept in prison, it will be handed to former Leader of Opposition Wafula Oguttu, whom he praised for his calmness and balanced judgment amid the ongoing tensions. “Rt. Hon. Wafula Oguttu has stayed level-headed throughout this entire episode, and I trust him to safeguard the award in honor of Dr. Besigye’s struggle,” he said.

As the dust begins to settle, Amuriat’s remarks appear aimed at cooling tempers and redirecting focus back to the ideals that have long united the opposition movement: justice, democracy, and the rule of law. Whether his words will heal the widening rift within the FDC remains to be seen, but one thing is clear, his loyalty to Dr. Kizza Besigye, at least in his own words, runs deeper than politics.