FDC Katonga faction's new party name challenged

The petition, addressed to the Electoral Commission was filed yesterday by the People Power Front (PPF). It cites concern over potential confusion and the undermining of established party identities.

According to the petition, signed by Spartan Achilles Mukogyi, Acting Secretary General of PPF, the use of the name "People’s Front for Freedom" closely resembles "People Power Front," leading to concerns over voter confusion and the infringement of existing party symbols and slogans.

The petition highlights that PPF had reserved its party particulars, including its name and identifying symbols, as early as December 2023. Since then, PPF claims to have adhered to the necessary statutory requirements, anticipating the finalisation of its registration with the Electoral Commission.

The Katonga faction’s request to register PFF, which includes key terms such as "People" and "Front," is seen by PPF as not only creating confusion among party members and the electorate but also as a challenge to the credibility of the Electoral Commission’s regulatory authority.

The petition emphasises the need for clarity in party identities, arguing that allowing both PPF and PFF to coexist under similar names could lead to a public perception of disorganisation and mismanagement within Uganda's political regulatory framework.

Delegates decide

This legal challenge comes on the heels of the Katonga faction’s recent decision to form a new political entity following its dissatisfaction with the leadership of the FDC’s main branch based at Najjanankumbi.

During a high-profile delegates’ conference held at the FDC’s Katonga headquarters, attended by over 800 members, the faction’s leadership, including Chairman Waswa Birigwa and President Erias Lukwago, voiced their desire for change.

They criticised the current leadership for what they perceive as illegitimacy and misalignment with the party's broader goals. Lukwago accused the Electoral Commission of favouring the Najjanankumbi faction and articulated a plan to dissolve the FDC, replace it with the newly formed PFF, and extend the tenure of their leadership to oversee this transition.

Despite internal resistance, the majority of the Katonga faction delegates supported these proposals. The faction received notable backing from prominent opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, who praised the faction's resilience and called for unity among Ugandans. Besigye advocated for the participation of former National Resistance Army fighters in their new political venture, emphasising the importance of national reconciliation and transparency.

However, the Najjanankumbi faction, led by FDC President Patrick Amuriat Oboi, has vehemently opposed these developments. Oboi dismissed the Katonga faction’s conference as illegitimate and the resolutions as void, citing a court order prohibiting the faction from organising such meetings. He further argued that only the legitimate leadership at Najjanankumbi, under Chairman Hon. Jack Sabiiti, holds the authority to dissolve the party, labelling the Katonga faction’s efforts as "clownish posturing."