KAMPALA The newly formed the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF),which has links with incarcerated veteran politician Dr Kizza Besigye has completely ruled out the possibility of fielding a presidential candidate and promised to rally behind one yet to be chosen by Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Both NUP led by musician-turned politician Bobi Wine and ANT of Rtd Gen Gregory Mugisha Muntu are in negotiations aims to come up with an opposition joint candidate ahead of next year’s General Elections.
In a statement on Monday, the PFF said it would not present its own presidential candidate and instead threw its weight behind efforts to create a “single, stronger freedom-seeking force” to challenge President Museveni’s four-decade rule.
“Our discussions have progressed to the point where we are considering a joint freedom presidential candidate. We are also open to the idea of twin freedom candidates if our parties resolve in that direction,” the PFF said.
According to the statement, ANT has proposed a coalition that would present both Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu and NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, as a coordinated “twin candidature,” campaigning as a single ticket to expand their appeal across Uganda’s diverse electorate.
NUP, however, has argued for a single unified flag bearer, citing the need to concentrate votes behind one opposition challenger.
The PFF said it supports NUP’s position, but remains flexible if “twin candidates” emerge as the consensus choice.
Political observers note that previous efforts to agree on a joint opposition presidential candidate have failed, notably during the 2016 General Elections when former prime minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi and former Forum for Democratic Change President Dr. Kizza Besigye could not unite under The Democratic Alliance (TDA) Mbabazi had formed.
The split is widely believed to have fragmented opposition support and helped Museveni secure a decisive victory
Analysts say pairing Bobi Wine with Muntu could help bridge regional and generational divides.
Bobi Wine enjoys massive support among urban youth and central and eastern Uganda voters, but his numbers in western Uganda remain weak — a region where Muntu, a former army commander and respected moderate politician , retains credibility and networks.
The PFF warned that the 2026 elections risk becoming “the worst in Uganda’s history,” alleging a takeover of electoral processes by the military and the abduction of opposition figures by security forces.
“There is no credible voters register to speak about,” the statement said, accusing authorities of crafting the election calendar “to suit the inadequacies of Mr. Museveni.”
Besigye back in command?
Dr. Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential contender and longtime critic of Museveni, will head PFF’s national campaign coordination team, which will stage regional and district rallies alongside PFF parliamentary candidates.
However, Besigye,who was arrested last November , is still in jail on treason charges.
The opposition bloc has promised to resume coalition talks once NUP completes its internal vetting process. If no agreement is reached, PFF said it would announce an independent course of action after presidential nominations.