The Electoral Commission has officially gazetted an application by the promoters of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) to register it as a political party.
“Notice is hereby given by the Electoral Commission, in accordance with the Political Parties and Organisations Act, of an application for registration by the People’s Front for Freedom Party,” the Commission stated in the gazette notice.
The Electoral Commission further noted that any individual with objections to the application must lodge them within 14 days from the date of the notice.
In August 2024, former members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) petitioned the Electoral Commission to reserve the name, colours, symbol, and slogan for their proposed political party. The group, led by founding FDC member Wafula Ogutu and 11 others, revealed the party’s name as the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF).
According to Oduman Charles Okello, during their Delegates’ Conference in September 2024, members resolved to form a new party following internal disputes with the leadership at the FDC’s Najjanankumbi headquarters.
“Our colours are red and royal blue. Our symbol will be a phone—so that everyone can say where they are. Our slogan is ‘Freedom for all and all for freedom,’ because we’ve lived under captivity for a very long time,” he said. “We’ve done our part and now await the Electoral Commission to do theirs so that we can begin collecting signatures for party registration. We have a counsellor assisting us with the application to ensure due diligence.”
In response, Mulekwah Russell Jacques Leonard, Secretary of the Electoral Commission, said that under the Political Parties and Organisations Act, 2005 (as amended), a registration application must include a full description of the party’s identifying symbols, slogans, and colours.
She pointed out that the group’s submission only mentioned the colours white and royal blue, and a phone as the symbol, without detailed descriptions. Additionally, she expressed concern that the proposed name—People’s People Power Front (PPF)—is potentially confusing to the public.
Mulekwah also highlighted that the colours white and royal blue closely resemble those of the FDC, which could mislead the electorate. “Please refer to the symbol currently used by the FDC. The Act prohibits the use of colours, names, or initials that are already associated with a registered political party or organisation,” she said.
“This is, therefore, to inform you to comply with all the relevant provisions of the Political Parties and Organisations Act governing the registration of political parties and organisations.”
Background of FDC Disputes
The internal rift within the FDC began around the 2021 elections, with two opposing factions emerging—one led by former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye, and the other by party president Patrick Amuriat and Nandala Mafabi.
Besigye’s faction accused the Amuriat-led group of collaborating with President Yoweri Museveni and receiving funds from him—allegations Amuriat and his supporters have consistently denied. In turn, Amuriat’s group accused Besigye’s camp of failing to account for $400,000 allegedly used during the campaign period.
It is believed that Besigye aimed to sideline Amuriat in favor of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago ahead of the party’s presidential elections.
Despite remaining an FDC member, Besigye neither supported nor opposed Amuriat in the 2021 presidential elections. In 2023, Nandala publicly challenged Besigye’s role in the party, questioning his status as a founding member.
“Besigye continues to disorganise the party, yet he wasn’t even a founding member. I challenge him to show us where he signed during the formation of FDC. At the time, he was in South Africa and only returned after the party had already been established,” Nandala stated.
