EC gazettes Besigye political party

KAMPALA - The Electoral Commission (EC), led by Justice Simon Byabakama, has finally gazetted Dr Kizza Besigye's People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party.

The development paves the way for it to participate with other opposition political parties come the 2026 general election.

According to the general notice number 1346 of 2025, published in the Uganda Gazette Extraordinary on May 16, 2025, EC chairperson Byabakama, the application can be inspected at the Electoral Commission Head Office Plot 1-3/5, Seventh Street, Industrial Area in Kampala city.

 “Notice is hereby given by the electoral commission in accordance with the Political Parties and Organisations Act Chapter 178 section 6 (a) of an application by the Peoples Front for Freedom (PFF) party,” said Byabakama in a signed published notice.

“It shall bear the name PFF at the address plot 6, Katonga Road, P.O. Box 29628, Kampala. PFF symbol is a mobile phone handset and colours white with a stripe of royal blue. The slogan is Freedom for All – All for Freedom,” Byabakama noted.

He, however, warned that any person who has grounds opposing the application should do so within 14 days from the date of this gazette notice by lodging an objection to the Electoral Commission.

“The party has a mobile phone handset with its screen displaying the initials PFF and the dial buttons engraved with the letters 'FREEDOM FOR All' on a white background framed in a circular royal blue strip,” he stated.

The meaning of stated colours reflects justice, reliability and trustworthiness with a white dominant, which signifies peace, truth and clean leadership, Byabakama observed.

PFF, led by the former FDC party president, detained chief promoter and patriarch leader, 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 chairperson and president Yoweri Museveni.

Former Leader of Opposition, Wafula Oguttu and other leading coordinators of PFF member registration after the party was gazetted. (Credit: Isaac Nuwagaba)

Besigye, who on four occasions attempted to defeat President Museveni, is being lined up to give his first push under a new formation by PFF promoters to contest once again in 2026.

FDC rebranded

Kampala Lord Mayor and interim PFF party president Erias Lukwago, when contacted, said the party sent their co-ordinators to start doing massive recruitment ahead of 2026 general election.

“It is never too late. Our people are on the ground mobilising because this is a rebrand of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party lying frustrated at Najjanankumbi,” he said.

We are however, still sad because Besigye and his aide, Hajj. Obeid Lutale are still in prison on fabricated treason charges before Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court, but God willing, they shall be free soon, he said optimistically.