The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has announced that it will not field a presidential candidate in the upcoming elections. The announcement was made by the party’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Ssemujju.
PFF is currently in talks with the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) to agree on a joint presidential candidate. The party says the move is aimed at building a stronger and broader coalition for change.
Daily Star has learned that the party is considering backing Gen. Mugisha Muntu, the president of ANT, in the upcoming elections.
Dr. Kizza Besigye to Sit Out 2026 Elections as PFF Eyes New Leadership
In July, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) announced that former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye will not contest for any elective position in the upcoming 2026 general elections, Daily Star has learned.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of the PFF’s National Convention. Sources confirmed that Dr. Besigye will retain his position as Chair of the Council of Eminent Persons, the party’s highest advisory body—a role that disqualifies him from seeking any elective office.
This development leaves an opening for new leadership within the PFF. Initially, it was expected that Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago would take on the mantle and challenge President Yoweri Museveni, who has already been endorsed as the sole presidential candidate by his party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM). However, in a turn of events, Lukwago has instead chosen to seek re-election as Lord Mayor in a bid to retain his current seat.
Birth of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF)
In August 2024, a group of former members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)—led by founding FDC member Wafula Ogutu and 11 others—petitioned the Electoral Commission to reserve the name, colours, symbol, and slogan of their proposed political party: the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF).
Speaking at the group’s Delegates’ Conference in September 2024, Oduman Charles Okello explained that the decision to form a new party stemmed from unresolved internal disputes within the FDC leadership, particularly those based at the Najjanankumbi headquarters.
“Our colours are red and royal blue. Our symbol will be a phone—so that everyone can say where they are,” said Okello. “Our slogan is ‘Freedom for all and all for freedom,’ because we’ve lived under captivity for a very long time.”
He added that the group had completed its preliminary steps and was now awaiting the Electoral Commission’s response to begin collecting signatures for official registration. A legal counselor is currently assisting the team to ensure compliance with all legal procedures.
Background: The FDC Dispute That Split the Opposition
The internal strife that eventually led to the formation of the PFF dates back to the 2021 elections, when two rival factions emerged within the FDC. One was aligned with Dr. Kizza Besigye, while the other was led by party president Patrick Amuriat and secretary-general Nandala Mafabi.
Besigye’s camp accused the Amuriat faction of clandestine collaboration with President Museveni and allegedly receiving funding from him—allegations that Amuriat and his allies have consistently denied. In response, Amuriat’s faction accused Besigye’s group of failing to account for $400,000 that was reportedly spent during the 2021 campaign.
Political observers believe that Besigye had intended to sideline Amuriat in favor of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago ahead of the party’s next presidential elections.
Although Besigye remained a member of the FDC, he neither endorsed nor opposed Amuriat’s candidacy in the 2021 general election. However, tensions escalated further in 2023, when Nandala publicly questioned Besigye’s legitimacy as a founding member of the party.
“Besigye continues to destabilize the party, yet he wasn’t even a founding member,” Nandala declared. “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.”
