The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party has issued a stern warning to Ugandans against aligning themselves with the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), a political party led by Dr. Kizza Besigye and Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago, which is currently collecting signatures for its formalization by the Electoral Commission.
On Monday, October 21, 2024, during a press conference, the NUP spokesperson, MP Joel Ssenyonyi, expressed concerns over the PFF’s intentions and its potential to further fragment the opposition.
“While we acknowledge the right of individuals to form political alliances, we urge Ugandans to be cautious and critically evaluate the motivations behind PFF. Just recently you heard their leaders urging Baganda to abandon NUP and join PFF, which makes us question their intentions,” Ssenyonyi said.
“You cannot tell Ugandans to join a party whose leader has failed to oust the dictator on four attempts, yet in just one attempt, NUP is the leading opposition party in the country,” Ssenyonyi added.
He further emphasized that unity is paramount among the opposition parties and that the formation of PFF could dilute efforts and distract the opposition from the shared goal of political transformation.
Political analysts suggest that the rivalry between NUP and PFF could lead to a fragmented opposition, which may ultimately benefit the ruling party in the forthcoming elections. With the political landscape becoming increasingly polarised, the coming months are expected to be critical for Uganda’s opposition parties as both sides prepare for the electoral battle ahead.
