PFF party registration hanging in the balance

KAMPALA - The registration fate of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party hangs in the balance as the Electoral Commission (EC) continues to scrutinise the party’s application forms, with just six months remaining until the 2026 general elections.

The split faction from the original Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), now under party president Patrick Amuriat Oboi and secretary general Nathan Nandala Mafabi, has been waiting to be gazetted and registered as a political party to participate in the country’s upcoming elections.

The PFF, led by former FDC party president and detained chief promoter Dr Col. Kiiza Besigye, has been at the forefront of advocating for democratic reforms and good governance since 2001, when he contested as a Reform Agenda independent candidate challenging the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party chairman and President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Besigye, who on four occasions attempted to defeat President Museveni, is being lined up to make another run under the new PFF formation. However, this plan remains hindered by the EC’s delay in registering the emerging party.

According to Kampala Lord Mayor and interim party president, Erias Lukwago, the party is now waiting for the EC to gazette the controversial party. Besigye’s personal aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale, is still in prison on treason charges before the Nakawa Chief Magistrates’ Court.

“I called EC chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama, myself, and he confirmed to me that they shall gazette PFF before this week on Friday. We have finalised all the processes of registering PFF, but we have called you here to tell you to start recruiting new members and to start identifying flag bearers,” Lukwago said.

Speaking to a meeting of PFF promoters at Plot 6 Katonga Road in Kololo, Kampala, Lukwago urged supporters to remain firm and patient until the EC pronounces itself by gazetting the party’s registration, allowing it to join the broader struggle with other change-seeking formations in the country.

“In this journey, we decided to use elections as a tool of this struggle to end President Museveni’s 40-year rule, but we know that we shall win this by election defiance,” he explained.

“Besigye was nominated while in prison in the 2005/2006 general elections, and this new beginning points to the time when FDC was started, with few expecting Besigye to contest against Museveni in a dramatic fashion. I am now calling you to recommit your faith to the struggle, that Dr Besigye’s efforts will never be betrayed,” Lukwago observed.

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago speaking about the stalled PFF registration at Plot 6 Katonga Road offices on Monday. (Credit: Isaac Nuwagaba)

The registration process

Wafula Oguttu, the former Leader of the Opposition and political activist, said PFF promoters moved across 115 districts, collecting more than 50 signatures in each. While some districts did not fully comply, they managed to gather the required number of signatures to register the new party.

“Initially, we thought that everything was done, but we did not know that we had Internal Security Officers (ISO), Resident District Commissioners (RDC), Gombolola (subcounty) Internal Security Officers (GISOs) and NRM chairpersons threatening our supporters at local levels to stop registering as our members,” he said.

“In some districts, GISOs were photographing our supporters, threatening them that they were being recruited into Besigye’s rebel group. This scared many, especially after Besigye was arrested in Kenya on fabricated charges, where they have failed to produce witnesses against him in both court martial and civilian courts,” Wafula added.

“It is only in two districts, Bukedea and Mitooma, where former FDC members and now Speaker Annet Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa connived with security operatives to threaten and intimidate our members from registering with us. But our members still registered after a long struggle,” Wafula noted.

“We have rebranded FDC, and both new and old members will have to identify with us because we are still on the path of spearheading change in this country. We shall not rest until that time comes,” Wafula insisted.

Kira Municipality Member of Parliament Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda revealed that Besigye was encouraged by news that the PFF registration process was making progress, and they had been assured of fulfilling all requirements to register a new political party.

“I’m here to see that Besigye and other political prisoners get freedom. This is one of the vehicles to ensure that freedom is delivered to this country.”

Ssemujju cautioned members against betrayal, saying it has frustrated the struggle since 1999, when Dr Besigye declared his contest against President Museveni, who had deviated from the original path of transition and democracy.

The EC has received the PFF’s application for registration and is currently reviewing the party’s constitution, leadership structure, and other relevant documents. According to EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi, the commission will thoroughly examine the application to ensure compliance with the Political Parties and Organisations Act of 2005.

“No. It can't be on Friday or before that. That is not accurate. What is accurate is that the commission will follow the requirements of the process, which include the gazetting of their application before being given the certificate of registration, before they can start to operate as a political party,” Julius said.

PFF is among six political parties currently waiting for clearance by the EC. Others in the queue include the National Foundation Party (NFP), National Revival Coalition (NRC), National Agrarian Party (NAP), Shine Uganda (SU), Uganda Prosperity Party (UPP), People Power Front (PPF), and the National Economic and Redemption Party (NERP), which have all reserved names with the EC and are awaiting gazettement before 2026.