Dr. Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, faces a crucial juncture as his faction within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), known as the Katonga Forum, grapples with internal divisions over their political strategy for the 2026 elections.
After parting ways with Patrick Amuriat Oboi’s leadership based in Najjanankumbi, Besigye and his team embarked on an extensive nationwide political tour, seeking input from Ugandans, particularly FDC members, on their future direction.
Kira Municipality legislator Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda recently confirmed that supporters have advocated for the formation of a new political party to contest the 2026 elections, signaling a potential departure from the FDC. Ssemujju hinted at officially announcing this split from the FDC by 2025, with plans to join the new political entity.
However, tensions within the Katonga faction have surfaced, with reports of disagreement among its leadership. Besigye finds himself in the midst of efforts to reconcile these divisions.
The discord centers around various proposals, including Ssemujju’s suggestion to acquire an existing political party, akin to what Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) did in 2020. Ssemujju argued that time constraints necessitated this approach to ensure their readiness for the elections.
Contrarily, Mubrak Munyagwa Sserunga cautioned against purchasing a party, drawing parallels to the challenges faced by Bobi Wine after acquiring a political entity from Moses Kibalama. Munyagwa advocated for registering a new party, a process he claimed to have initiated.
Meanwhile, Asinansi Nyakato proposed a return to Amuriat’s leadership, citing time constraints for either registering or purchasing a party, suggesting negotiations with Amuriat’s camp as a viable option.
Meetings held in Lukwago’s absence due to health reasons saw divergent views, with Lukwago advocating for negotiations with Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) for a potential partnership. However, this proposition faced resistance from Ssemujju, Munyagwa, and Nyakato, who deemed it politically detrimental.
Betty Nambooze reportedly leads efforts to persuade Lukwago to align with NUP, yet internal dynamics within NUP also complicate matters, with some factions opposing Lukwago’s potential candidacy for Kampala Lord Mayorship in 2026.
Besigye’s stance remains ambiguous, although speculation suggests a leaning towards supporting Lukwago’s decisions.
Allegations of financial impropriety during the 2021 elections, with accusations leveled against Amuriat and his Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi for allegedly receiving funds from President Museveni, further exacerbate the rift within the FDC.
Despite efforts to obtain comments from key figures involved, including Ssemujju, Munyagwa, and Lukwago, they remained unreachable.
The intricate political landscape in Uganda underscores the complexity of decision-making within opposition factions, with strategic alliances and internal power struggles shaping the trajectory of political movements ahead of the 2026 elections.
