KAMPALA.
Incarcerated veteran politician and one of the founders of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Dr Kizza Besigye, is expected to deliver the keynote address during the party’s official inauguration scheduled for Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
Addressing the media at the party headquarters on Katonga Road,Nakasero on Monday , PFF Spokesperson ,Mr Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda said Dr Besigye’s incarceration will not stop him from addressing the nation during the ceremony.
“For the first time, you will witness a prisoner deliver a keynote address from prison. Dr Besigye will speak during our party’s official inauguration. Come and listen to him,” Mr Ssemujju said, amid thunderous applause from party members in attendance. Dr Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, has been detained at Luzira Prison for 221 days on what Mr Ssemujju described as politically motivated treason charges.
Dr Besigye was remanded on November 20, 2024, along with his aide, Mr Obeid Lutale, following their arrest in Kenya where he had been invited to a book launch by former Kenyan Justice Minister Ms Martha Karua. Mr Ssemujju did not reveal how Dr Besigye’s speech would be delivered but said: “I was recently with him in Luzira.
He is preparing his keynote address and will use whatever means possible to deliver it.” He said the inauguration event will be attended by 1,000 delegates representing the more than 5,000 members who endorsed the registration of PFF, following a decision by the Katonga faction of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to break away and form a new political party. The interim party leadership, headed by former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Wafula Oguttu, will on the same day present names of proposed leaders for approval.
Once approved, the new leadership will be sworn in and assume their duties. Mr Ssemujju added that regional and sub-regional conferences would follow, during which grassroots leaders at district, regional, and sub-regional levels will be inaugurated.
The formation of PFF was sparked by a split within FDC, once Uganda’s main opposition party, due to internal conflicts, power struggles, and ideological differences. PFF received its registration certificate from the National Electoral Commission on June 5.
Mr Michael Kabaziguruka, the chairperson of the PFF Electoral Commission, revealed that more than 100 individuals from across Uganda have expressed interest in parliamentary races. He said the party is also issuing forms for those aspiring to become district chairpersons, city mayors, and division mayors. Nomination forms and guidelines have been sent to all district branches, while members can also access them on the PFF website
Besigye to stand for President again
Dr Besigye , a four-time presidential candidate , is also likely to be nominated as the presidential flag bearer for PFF ahead of next year’s General Election.
This follows a decision by PFF leadership to amend its electoral guidelines, allowing members who are unable to collect nomination forms physically to be nominated in absentia.
Mr Kabaziguruka said his office would seek formal amendments to the guidelines to accommodate members who are abroad or otherwise indisposed during the nomination period.
“As the Electoral Commission of PFF, we are resubmitting the guidelines to the Executive Council of the founding members for review, particularly to provide for nominations in absentia,” Mr Kabaziguruka said.
Nomination fees
LC5 Councilors – Shs25,000
Presidential flag bearer – Shs2.5 million
MPs, Kampala Lord Mayor, LCV Chairpersons – Shs500,000
Municipal/City Division Mayors – Shs250,000
LCIII Chairpersons – Shs50,000
LCIII Councilors – Shs10,000