The Katonga Road-based faction of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to speed up the registration process for their new political party, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF).
During a press conference held yesterday at their offices on Katonga Road, Kampala, the interim president of PFF and Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, raised concerns about delays in the process.
“We express our concern about the EC’s procrastination regarding the registration of PFF. By now, we should have received our registration certificate as stipulated under section 7(3) and (4) of the Political Parties and Organisations Act 2005,” Lukwago stated.
He explained that the law requires verification of registration details and the gazetting of an objection notice to be completed within one month of submitting the necessary documents.
“We call upon the EC to comply with legal requirements and finalize the registration process by January 31. Meanwhile, we continue advancing the transition from the compromised FDC to PFF, with plans to dissolve FDC by March,” he added.
The Katonga faction began collecting signatures from 50 registered voters in at least two-thirds of Uganda’s 146 districts last October, following clearance from the EC.
Lukwago also addressed the ongoing detention of Dr. Kizza Besigye, a key leader of their movement, who remains committed to their struggle for regime change despite being held in Luzira Prison on charges of possessing firearms.
“We are strategizing on how to participate in the 2026 elections as part of the broader effort to liberate the state from its current captivity,” Lukwago said.
Dr. Besigye and his associate, Haji Obeid Lutale, were arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16 last year while reportedly en route to the launch of a book by National Rainbow Coalition leader Martha Karua. They are due to appear today before the General Court Martial in Makindye, Kampala.
Lukwago expressed satisfaction that the Uganda Law Council had granted Karua a temporary practicing certificate to lead the legal team defending Besigye and Lutale.
“She (Karua) has already arrived in the country with a large entourage of lawyers from various nations. This is just the beginning of the fight,” he declared.
Accompanied by Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda and former FDC vice-president for Eastern Uganda, Salaamu Musumba, Lukwago emphasized that the struggle for regime change is not partisan.
“To achieve peaceful regime change, unity among change-seeking groups is essential. Unfortunately, Uganda’s change-seeking forces are often divided and, at times, even antagonistic,” he said.
EC Urges Patience and Compliance
The Electoral Commission (EC) has called on the promoters of PFF to exercise patience and adhere to the registration process.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi stated that the Commission is still verifying PFF’s documents, including member details and signatures.
“It is important to note that the law allows the EC up to six months to process registration applications. Since the process began last October, we are well within the legal timeframe. PFF was granted permission to collect signatures, and we are committed to fulfilling our mandate under the law,” Mucunguzi said.
He added, “Every citizen has the right to form a political party, and the Commission will uphold this right.”
With the 2026 general elections approaching, PFF leaders have expressed concerns about delays in their party’s registration and potential sabotage. The national voter registration update, initially scheduled for January 3, was postponed to run from January 20 to February 10.
The EC revealed that it is handling applications from 16 political organizations seeking recognition as parties.
