There’s a difference between leading a truly national political party like FDC and being a leader of any other party. FDC has a lot of people who can do the former, but not so many who do the latter.

To be successful, each of our candidates has to be brilliant, and master the functional skills they have. The next FDC president has to be a strong communicator and a strategic thinker, and know how to collaborate with stakeholders of all stripes.

But when it comes to leadership style, it turns out that many of our leaders aren’t national leaders after all!
I have found out that our next leader needs to have great soft skills, so we need to come together to discuss the qualities and competencies of what we need! Things like “emotional intelligence,” “listening,” and “authenticity “.

Since we have different religions, tribes, languages, our chosen President should have empathy, for all! Cultural empathy requires a degree of agelessness, because you have to surrender the notion that your tribe, or language, or point of view is best. Cultural empathy means that you have to not just see through the eyes of someone who is different, but you have to think through that person’s brain. True cultural empathy springs from personality, early nurturing, curiosity, and appreciation of diversity.

If FDC wants to continue to lead in strategy, manifesto, and uphold the FDC constitution, then we will have to become better national leaders. For it is, One Uganda, One People and One People, One Uganda! In my view of issues, Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu is the right person to replace Col. Kiiza Besigye as FDC party president.

The writer is the woman MP for Kampala district

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