The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), a party linked to veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, has announced it will not field a presidential candidate in Uganda’s 2026 general election.
Besigye’s Arrest and Charges
The decision comes after the abduction of Dr. Besigye and his aide, Obeid Lutale, in Nairobi on November 16, 2024. They were deported to Kampala and charged with treason, illegal possession of firearms, and ammunition. Both remain in detention at Luzira Prison.
Rights groups and opposition leaders, including Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, have condemned the case as politically motivated.
PFF Pushes for Opposition Unity
PFF Secretary General Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda said the party chose to withdraw in order to support a united opposition against President Yoweri Museveni.
“The party has made this decision in the broader interest of building a stronger freedom-seeking force,” he told reporters. Ssemujju added that the abduction of citizens has turned the upcoming election into a militarised campaign.
Talks with ANT and NUP
The party signed a cooperation agreement with the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) led by Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu in July 2025. Talks are also ongoing with the National Unity Platform (NUP) under Bobi Wine.
Both Muntu and Bobi Wine have secured presidential nomination forms. However, the Electoral Commission (EC) rejected ANT’s submission due to insufficient signatures. NUP’s signatures were accepted for verification.
EC Pushback
Ssemujju accused the EC of being compromised by military influence. But EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi dismissed the claims as baseless. He said the commission has the constitutional mandate to adjust the election roadmap when necessary.
Besigye Missing Again
This is the second time Dr. Besigye will not appear on the ballot, after also skipping the 2021 election. He has previously contested four times against President Museveni.
With PFF stepping aside, Uganda’s opposition now faces the challenge of uniting behind a single candidate to take on Museveni, who has been in power for nearly four decades.
