As Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections, a storm is brewing within the opposition.
Two political groups, People Power Front (PPF) and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), are at the center of controversy, their similar names leaving the public puzzled and political analysts questioning their true intentions. In politics, just like in a market, when two traders sell the same product, the customers get confused.
PPF emerged as a political force linked to the People Power Movement, though its leadership has kept a low profile. Before it could fully take shape, another group, PFF, appeared, this time backed by the Katonga faction of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
The similarities between the two names have sparked speculation that PFF was deliberately formed to weaken PPF by causing confusion among voters and the media.
Robert Kyagulanyi’s National Unity Platform (NUP) reportedly sees PPF as a growing threat. The tensions rose when an unverified document, allegedly from PPF, was leaked on NUP’s online blog, Kampala Journal. The document suggested a plan to dismantle NUP’s influence, adding fuel to the fire.
On October 1, 2024, NUP’s Deputy Spokesman, Alex Mufumbiro, addressed the matter publicly, further deepening the divide.
Many believe that PFF’s creation was not by accident but rather a calculated move to slow down PPF’s momentum. Media houses have already mixed up the two names, making it harder for the public to distinguish between them.
The matter reached the Electoral Commission (EC) on August 28, 2024, when PPF’s Secretary General, Spartan Mukagyi, formally petitioned against PFF’s registration. Citing the Political Parties and Organizations Act, Mukagyi argued that PFF’s name was too similar to PPF’s and could mislead voters.
At first, the EC agreed and rejected PFF’s application on September 4, 2024. However, in a shocking turn of events, the Commission reversed its decision on October 2, 2024, allowing PFF to proceed with registration.
This U-turn has raised eyebrows, with many questioning whether the EC is acting independently or under external influence.
With the elections approaching, many Ugandans remain unsure about the difference between PPF and PFF. Meanwhile, PPF has completed its registration and is preparing for the elections, as well as a highly anticipated People Power reunion, an event that was previously blocked by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) in November 2024.
On the other hand, PFF is still in the process of verifying collected signatures. Some suspect its real aim is not to compete but to disrupt PPF’s progress.
The struggle between PPF and PFF is a sign of the cracks within Uganda’s opposition. As the elections draw near, the question remains whether these divisions will weaken the opposition, or will they lead to a new political awakening?
As the old saying goes, when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. For now, the voters are left in the middle of the storm, hoping clarity will come before they head to the polls.
