Key FDC legislators cross to Besigye PFF party
“Many of the MPs expressed a desire for change and a fresh start, which they believe PFF offers,” Ochan, the former leader of opposition said.
Some of the former FDC leaders and MPs attending a meeting at Katonga Road offices in Kampala. (Credit: Isaac Nuwagaba)
By Isaac Nuwagaba
Journalists @New Vision
Former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Betty Aol Ocan speaking about her defection to join PFF. (Credit: Isaac Nuwagaba)
KAMPALA - Nine key Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party have defected to Dr. Col. (rtd) Kizza Besigye's Peoples’ Front for Freedom (PFF).
The legislators have cited various reasons for their decision, including party internal conflicts where FDC president Amuriat Patrick Oboi and party secretary general Nathan Nandala Mafabi were alleged to have received 2021 general elections campaign money amounting to shillings seven billion from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party chairperson and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The FDC has faced internal conflicts and exodus, including a significant departure in 2023 when prominent leaders including Besigye left amid allegations of "dirty money."
The revelation of the defections was made by former FDC member and Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among during a budget reading event at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala city on Thursday, June 12, 2025, afternoon.
“I wish to announce that nine FDC MPs have expressed their desire to join the PFF party. We extend our best wishes to the members as they exercise their freedom of association as enshrined in Article 29 of the 1995 constitution that we uphold,” Among said.
The defectors:
- Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda
- Gulu City Woman MP Betty Aol Ochan
- Bukonjo East County MP Harold Tonny Muhindo
- Rubabo County MP Naboth Namanya
- Kabale Municipality MP Dr Nicholas Thadeus Kamara
- Kyamuswa County MP Moses Kabuusu
- Bukonjo West County Atkins Godfrey Katusabe
- Buhweju County MP Francis Mwijukye
- Hoima City Woman MP Asinasi Nyakato.
MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda
MP Francis Mwijukye MP Asinasi Nyakato
Reasons for defection
When contacted, Ssemujju who works as the interim PFF party spokesperson, said the MPs cited various reasons for their decision to leave FDC, “Some of the MPs expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership of FDC, citing poor party management and lack of consultation. Others felt that the party lacked a clear direction and strategy for achieving its goals."
“Many of the MPs expressed a desire for change and a fresh start, which they believe PFF offers,” Ochan, the former leader of opposition said.
Impact on FDC
The defection of these nine key MPs is a significant blow to FDC, which has been struggling to regain its footing after the 2021 general elections where Amuriat pulled a minimum support of only 337,589 votes (3.26%) behind Museveni’s 6,042,898 (58.38%) the winner of the election.
According to political analyst and lecturer at Makerere University Prof. Patrick Ndebesa Mwambusya, the party's leadership will need to regroup and reassess its strategy to recover from this loss.
“It is regrettable when it comes at this time when general elections are barely six months. They should however not jubilate yet when Dr. Besigye is still in prison because they are missing his impact,” he said.
Implications for PFF
The arrival of these MPs is a significant boost to PFF, which has been gaining momentum in recent months.
“Besigye's party will now have a stronger presence in parliament, which could enhance its ability to influence policy and hold the government accountable,” Mwambusya said.
Veteran Opposition leader Besigye and his aide Hajj. Obeid Lutale have since last year in November been in Luzira Maximum Security Prison on charges of treason which they are still battling in Nakawa Magistrates Court in Kampala.
The defection of these MPs highlights the challenges faced by the Opposition parties in Uganda. Despite their efforts, Opposition parties often struggle to maintain unity and cohesion, which can lead to defections and losses.
The FDC's loss is PFF's gain, and it will be interesting to see how these MPs will contribute to their new party.
FDC reacts on defections
FDC party spokesperson John Kikonyogo downplayed the impact of defections on the party's strength, stating that the supporters didn't leave with the MPs.
“In 2020, over 11 MPs and staunch FDC leaders at various levels defected from FDC to join Alliance for National Transformation under former party president Gen Mugisha Muntu but he never got a single MP into parliament,” he sharply analysed.
FDC was set on firm ideology and standard that no jocker can shake and we are busy doing groundwork mobilization in the countryside when they are concentrating here in the city, Kikonyogo added.