(Kampala) – The city of seven hills, has seen many battles in its time. From the Buganda Kingdom’s royal wrangles to Obote and Amin playing chess with the presidency. Now, it is Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago’s turn to face the sharp sword of rejection, wielded by none other than the mighty Electoral Commission (EC). In a turn of events that is about as predictable as Ugandan traffic jams, Lukwago’s Katonga faction of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) tried to birth a new political child, but the EC told them, “Not today!”
In a letter dated September 4, 2024, Leonard Mulekwah, the EC’s Secretary, sent the Katonga crew packing. It was like the moment when you have been queuing for chapatti at the roadside stand, only for the vendor to announce they have run out just as it is your turn. The dream of Lukwago and his crew at Katonga road was a new political organization, grandly named the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). The EC didn’t have time for those half baked plans. Mulekwah, with the tone of a disappointed parent, informed the FDC faction that they had better read up on the Political Parties and Organizations Act before making any further moves.
Politics in Uganda is never a straight line, comparable to navigating a muddy murram road during rainy season – full of bumps and surprises. This faction, led by beloved Kampala Mayor Lukwago, has been on the hunt for a political vehicle to cruise them to success in the 2026 general elections. Why? Because the Najjanankumbi based FDC, their former home, is like a house divided after some financial disagreements (read: fighting over who gets the bigger piece of the pie).
Table 1: Katonga vs Najjanankumbi FDC – The Split
| Faction | Leader | Issue at Hand | Date of Split | Main Agenda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katonga | Erias Lukwago | Disagreement over election funds | July 2023 | Forming a new party for 2026 |
| Najjanankumbi | Nandala Mafabi | Control of FDC and strategy | Ongoing | Retaining dominance in FDC |
The Katonga faction sent a request on August 27, 2024, to the EC, politely asking them to reserve their party name, colours, symbol, and slogan. Like any good Ugandan wedding planning committee, they wanted everything in place well ahead of the 2026 elections. But alas, the EC wasn’t feeling generous. They told them, “Sorry, we need more details – and don’t even get us started on that name confusion!”
The PFF sounds too much like the People Power Front (PPF). In Uganda, where political names are as fiercely guarded as banana and coffee plantations, that’s a big no no. Mulekwah must have thought, “We already have enough confusion with the FDC split; we don’t need more drama on the political stage.”
And then there were the colours. White and royal blue. Now, if you have been paying attention, those are basically FDC’s signature look – like trying to sell Rolexes with avocado and calling it an innovation. The EC said, “Mwebale nyo, but those colours belong to FDC; let us not confuse the masses further.”
There is also the symbol of a phone which the EC insisted needs full description for it to be taken seriously. They claimed it is like registering a boda boda with no number plate – a non starter.
Table 2: People’s Front for Freedom vs Electoral Commission – The Sticking Points
| Issue | PFF’s Proposal | EC’s Response |
|---|---|---|
| Name | People’s Front for Freedom | Too close to People Power Front |
| Colours | White and royal blue | Too similar to FDC’s existing colours |
| Symbol | Phone | Incomplete description, needs more details |
So, where does this leave the Katonga faction? For now, they are back to the drawing board, trying to figure out how to form a political party that doesn’t step on anyone’s toes – or colours, or slogans, or symbols. Maybe Lukwago and his team should consider Uganda’s rich culture for inspiration. After all, why go for blue and white when they could choose something truly iconic, like the black and white of a crested crane?
The Najjanankumbi FDC must be quietly chuckling in the background, watching as their rivals struggle to get a foothold. In this game of political matatu, Lukwago and his Katonga group are still waiting at the stage, hoping their taxi comes along before the 2026 elections pass them by.
