MITYANA. The newly formed political party , People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) linked to incarcerated veteran politician Dr Kizza Besigye has suffered a setback ahead of next year’s General Elections after police blocked its plan to open coordination office in Mityana District ,Central Uganda .
The Thursday blockage sparked chaotic scenes with police firing teargas to stop supporters from marching through Mityana Town. The office launch proceeded the PFF inaugural Buganda convention held in the same town .The convention drew senior party leaders, legislators, and aspiring candidates from across Buganda.
But tension erupted on Thursday when PFF members attempted to hold a procession to Busimbi, where they planned to inaugurate new offices.
Police, led by Mityana District Police Commander Steven Ojok, blocked the march, saying the party had not secured clearance from the Inspector General of Police to hold the procession. Officers fired teargas, scattering the crowd of supporters and onlookers.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as delegates and residents fled in panic. Some supporters fell to the ground while others sprinted through side streets to escape the choking fumes.
Party leaders condemned the crackdown, insisting their political activities were lawful.
“We had gathered to launch our offices, not to cause chaos. What we have witnessed here is the suppression of our political rights,” Dr. Kizza Martin Ssemambo, an aspiring candidate for Mityana Municipality said .
Dr. Lulume Bayiga, the party’s Deputy President for Buganda, who recently defected from Democratic Party accused security forces of attempting to frustrate PFF’s growth.
“Buganda is central to our political strategy, and opening these offices was a critical step. No amount of intimidation will stop us from organizing,” he said.
Despite the disruption, a determined group led by Dr Bayigga reached the offices and symbolically cut the ribbon, declaring them open amid chants and applause.
“This is more than an office. It is a home for the people of Buganda who want change. The police may teargas us, but they cannot teargas our vision,” Dr Bayigga told cheering supporters.
The violent dispersal highlighted the growing tension between security agencies and opposition movements as Uganda moves closer to next year’s general elections.