The long-standing internal conflict within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has culminated in the formation of a new political party by the faction based at Katonga Road.
The newly established party, named the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), is led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
The party’s colours are royal blue and white, and its slogan, “Freedom for all, All for freedom,” signals its commitment to democratic ideals while a phone is the party symbol.
The creation of PFF marks the peak of a bitter split within the FDC, which has seen the Katonga faction increasingly at odds with the group headquartered at Najjanankumbi, led by Patrick Amuriat.
The rift between the two factions has been marked by public disputes, with both sides accusing each other of being compromised by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government under President Yoweri Museveni.
The tensions within the FDC have been brewing for several years, rooted in disagreements over the party’s direction, leadership style, and approach to opposition politics.
The Katonga faction, which has now officially broken away, has long criticized the Najjanankumbi group for what it sees as a failure to robustly challenge the NRM’s dominance.
Conversely, the Najjanankumbi leadership has accused the Katonga faction of undermining party unity and being disruptive to the FDC’s efforts to present a united front against the government.
The formation of the People’s Front for Freedom is likely to have significant implications for Uganda’s political landscape, as it adds another player to the opposition field, potentially drawing support from disillusioned FDC members and other opposition supporters.
