FDC Leaders Clash at Uganda’s National Peace Summit

(Kampala) – Tension arose at the peace summit held on Friday, October 25, 2024, at Kampala Sheraton Hotel, when Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) delegates objected to the introduction of Wasswa Biriggwa as the party’s official chairman. Led by former Obongi County MP Hassan Kaps Fungaroo, the delegates requested that Biriggwa vacate the FDC table, signaling the internal division currently challenging the party.

Biriggwa, a former FDC chair and close ally of FDC founder Dr. Kizza Besigye, eventually moved to a seat reserved for the event’s master of ceremonies, Charles Odongotho. Biriggwa’s association with Besigye comes amid a split in the FDC after accusations emerged that senior party officials allegedly received campaign funding from President Yoweri Museveni in the last election cycle. This controversy has since motivated Besigye and his supporters to begin establishing a new political party, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). The Electoral Commission recently granted PFF backers permission to collect signatures as part of the party’s official registration process.

Amid the heated scene, summit convener Beatrice Kiraso urged the delegates to maintain decorum, appealing to them to remember the purpose of the event. “We are here for peace; do not fail us,” Kiraso stated. Her appeal helped avoid a walkout from the summit, which was aimed at fostering political cooperation and peace in anticipation of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.

The event brought together political party leaders, diplomats, religious representatives, security officials, and members of civil society. The United States Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp, highlighted the peace pledge as an essential step for political actors to prioritize peace during electoral processes. “Concrete actions toward peace are crucial to prevent conflict that primarily harms innocent citizens,” he said.

Table 1: Key Figures and Attendees at the National Peace Pledge Summit

Apostle Joseph Sserwadda, representing the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), praised the summit as a promising move toward political maturity. He cautioned against the common electoral pitfalls of negative competition and incitement, particularly involving youth, warning that these practices could threaten social cohesion and security if not managed.

Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC) also underscored the link between peace and a fair election process. Representing the EC chairperson, Dr. Sallie Simba Kayunga emphasized that “security and peace are critical ingredients of a free and fair election,” reiterating the EC’s commitment to ensuring equitable participation in a peaceful election environment.

The event included remarks from Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Nobert Mao, who assured attendees that the government would work to ensure a fair election process. Mao urged leaders to take the pledge seriously, stressing the importance of respecting political opponents. “We need to respect those we disagree with,” he noted, pointing to the discord within the FDC as an example of political divisions that must be managed with respect.

The National Peace Pledge Summit was organized by the National Consultative Forum (NCF) in collaboration with the International Republican Institute. The summit culminated in the signing of a peace pledge, marking a collective commitment to uphold peace and integrity in Uganda’s upcoming elections.