In a major political twist ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections, veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye has confirmed he will not be contesting for any elective position under the newly launched People’s Front for Freedom (PFF).
Besigye, who has been a towering figure in Uganda’s opposition politics for over 20 years, has instead taken on a senior advisory role within the party. According to sources, he was recently appointed Chair of the PFF Council of Eminent Persons, a powerful body tasked with providing strategic guidance to the party. However, party regulations bar anyone holding this advisory position from running for any internal or national elective office.
Speaking during a press briefing, party officials explained that Besigye’s new role is to mentor the next generation of opposition leaders, rather than take part in yet another direct electoral contest against President Yoweri Museveni—whose repeated victories have long been viewed by the opposition as orchestrated through state machinery and electoral malpractice.
“It’s time to guide and not lead from the front,” a party insider quoted Besigye as saying. “The fight for freedom must now involve new faces and new strategies.”
Uncertainty Over PFF Flag Bearer
With Besigye out of the running, questions now linger about who will carry the PFF presidential flag in the 2026 election, which is just five months away.
Key potential figures, including Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Hon. Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda, have reportedly shied away from the top job. Ssemujju, the outspoken legislator from Kira Municipality, is said to have cited the financial strain involved in mounting a national campaign. According to insiders, he expressed concern about giving up his parliamentary seat, which he reportedly described as “more rewarding” than leading a fragile opposition party.
Interestingly, sources close to Ssemujju reveal that during his years in parliament, he purchased a commercial property—allegedly a Shs750 million arcade in Bweyogerere—from the family of CBS media personality Tamale Konde, who relocated to the U.S. in 2024.
What’s Next for the Opposition?
With Besigye taking a backseat and other prominent figures reluctant to step forward, the opposition is facing a potential leadership vacuum at a critical moment. As the ruling NRM gears up to once again back President Museveni, all eyes will now be on whether the PFF can rally behind a new candidate capable of igniting the same passion Besigye did for decades.
One thing is certain—Uganda’s 2026 elections just became more unpredictable.
