The Uganda Electoral Commission (EC) has officially gazetted the application of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) to register as a political party. This announcement, published in the Uganda Gazette on Friday, marks a significant development in the Ugandan political landscape, potentially adding another voice to the opposition.
According to the notice, signed by EC Chairman Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, the move is in accordance with the Political Parties and Organizations Act. The EC is now inviting members of the public who may have objections to the PFF’s registration to formally lodge them within the next 14 days.
“Any person who has any grounds for opposing this application should do so within 14 days from the date of this Gazette notice by objecting to the Electoral Commission,” the notice states.
The People’s Front for Freedom is spearheaded by Dr. Kizza Besigye and other former prominent members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Reportedly, the party’s formation follows a period of internal turmoil and divisions within the FDC, solidifying its place as the newest opposition force in the country. Their chosen symbol is a mobile phone.
The genesis of the PFF stems from accusations leveled against the FDC’s president, Amuriat Oboi Patrick, and secretary general, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, alleging they accepted funds from President Museveni during the 2021 general elections. These accusations fractured the party, leading to the emergence of two distinct factions: one based at Katonga Road in Kampala, backed by Kizza Besigye, and the other at Najjanankumbi.
It is the Katonga Road faction, led by Dr. Besigye, that is driving the initiative to establish the new political party, the PFF. The application’s announcement by the EC comes after a reported six-month review process.
The registration of the PFF could potentially reshape the Ugandan political landscape, offering a new platform for voices dissatisfied with the current political climate. However, the next two weeks will be crucial as the Electoral Commission assesses any objections from the public before making a final determination on the PFF’s registration.
