Over the past year, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), once a dynamic and influential political party, has been embroiled in intense internal struggles. The conflict has shifted from the broader goal of challenging President Museveni to a more focused debate over who should lead the party.
The schism within the FDC has resulted in two distinct factions. One faction, based in Najjanankumbi, is led by Patrick Oboi Amuriat, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, and Jack Sabiti, who hold the positions of Party President, Secretary General, and National Chairman, respectively. The other faction, headquartered on Katonga Road, is led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Harold Kaija, and Ambassador Waswa Birigwa, who serve as Substantive President, Secretary General, and National Chairman, respectively.
The root of the conflict can be traced back to allegations that Nandala Mafabi and Patrick Oboi Amuriat received financial support from President Museveni to create discord within the FDC. It is rumored that some of these funds were used to support Amuriat’s presidential campaign during the 2021 elections.
These accusations were initially brought to light by the outspoken opposition leader Dr. Kiiza Besigye. Subsequent efforts to mediate and resolve the dispute were unsuccessful, leading to a deepening of the divisions.In response to the internal crisis, the Katonga faction embarked on a series of nationwide consultative meetings to gather opinions from FDC members across the country. The feedback was mixed: most regions supported the formation of a new political party, while only Teso, Acholi, and Kasese regions expressed reluctance and favored continued mediation.
Following these consultations, the Katonga faction held its inaugural National Delegates Conference at Dr. Besigye’s Katonga office. During this conference, the decision was made to dissolve the Forum for Democratic Change and establish a new political entity. The conference members agreed to a six-month period to wind up FDC’s activities before fully transitioning to the new party.
In preparation for the 2026 elections, the Katonga faction has already taken significant steps to establish their new party. They have submitted a formal request for registration and reserved the name PEOPLE’S FRONT FOR FREEDOM (PFF). The party has selected white and royal blue as its colors and chosen the phone as its symbol, with the slogan “FREEDOM FOR ALL, ALL FOR FREEDOM.”
The request for registration has been signed by several prominent figures, including former Leader of Opposition Wafula Oguttu, Kamateneti Ingrid Turinawe, Wanda Ronald, Mutesi Anne Marie, and Kunihira Proscovia. Additional signatories include Nakasolya Jane, Nanyonjo Suzan, Bassima Sarah Ssengendo, Hon. Oduman Albert Charles Okello, Opoka Kenneth, and Hon. Ojok B’ Leo.
This development marks a significant turning point for the Forum for Democratic Change. If the Katonga group successfully registers PFF, it will represent the second major split from the FDC, following the formation of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) led by Mugisha Muntu, Alice Alaso, and Winnie Kiiza, who broke away from Najjanankumbi in 2018.
In response to the Katonga faction’s actions, Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuriat has dismissed their resolutions as inconsequential, referring to them as “comedians.” He claimed that the Katonga group no longer holds any legitimacy within the FDC.
Amuriat also cautioned Conservative Party (CP) president John Ken Lukyamuzi to be wary of the Katonga faction, suggesting they might attempt to infiltrate his party, similar to Bobi Wine’s maneuver with Kibalama. However, Amuriat’s claims of such infiltration plans appear to be based on incorrect intelligence.
Current reports indicate that Amuriat’s faction is left with only a few Members of Parliament from the 11th Parliament, while the majority have aligned themselves with Besigye’s Katonga faction. Notably, FDC party Whip Yusuf Nsibambi, Geofrey Ekanya, and Nathan Nandala Mafabi remain with Amuriat, reflecting the ongoing fragmentation within the party.
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