KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), a political party affiliated with opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, has announced its decision not to field a presidential candidate in the 2026 general election.
The move is intended to support a unified opposition front against President Yoweri Museveni of the National yResistance Movement (NRM) party, who is seeking re-election after nearly four decades in power.
The party’s decision comes after a significant setback for its leadership: Dr. Besigye, the chairperson of the PFF’s Council of Eminent Persons, and his aide, Obeid Lutale, were reportedly abducted from Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024. The two were subsequently deported to Kampala, where they now face charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and treachery.
The case has drawn widespread criticism from government opponents, including opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, and various human rights groups.
According to PFF’s Secretary General and Spokesperson, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the decision was made in light of the current political climate.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, he explained, “The party, PFF, has made this decision in the broader interest of building a single stronger freedom-seeking force that should steer the country throughout this turbulent political period and hold it together after the continued disappearance and abduction of citizens, including candidates, is turning the 2026 elections into a militarised campaign.”
Ssemujju confirmed that PFF is holding talks with two other major opposition parties: the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), led by Maj Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu, and the National Unity Platform (NUP), headed by Bobi Wine.
The ANT and PFF had already signed an agreement on July 2, 2025. Ssemujju also stated that the PFF has held at least two meetings with the NUP to discuss the possibility of nominating a joint presidential candidate.
Both Gen Muntu and Bobi Wine have already secured presidential nomination forms to contest under their respective parties in the upcoming January election.
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While the NUP submitted its signatures for verification last week, the ANT’s submission was rejected by the Electoral Commission (EC) due to insufficient signatures.
Ssemujju further claimed that the Electoral Commission had been compromised by military influence, but EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi refuted these allegations, calling them baseless.
Mucunguzi stated, “The Commission has constitutional powers to adjust the election roadmap, when necessary.”
Dr. Besigye, a four-time presidential contender, will miss the ballot for a second time after sitting out the 2021 election. He and his aide remain remanded at Luzira Prison on treason charges.
