The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has warned the Ugandan government against adopting measures that could restrict political party participation in future elections.
Speaking at the party’s weekly press briefing held at FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi, party spokesperson John Kikonyogo expressed concern over what he described as “growing democratic backsliding” in East Africa.
Kikonyogo’s remarks follow the arrest of Tundu Lissu, chairman of Tanzania’s main opposition party Chadema, who was charged with treason on April 3, 2025, after calling for constitutional reforms ahead of the October elections.
According to The Africa Report, Lissu had vowed to mobilize the public to block the polls unless minimum constitutional amendments were enacted to ensure free and fair elections.
“As Lissu languishes in pre-trial detention, his party was barred from signing the Electoral Code of Conduct, which Tanzania’s electoral commission claims automatically disqualifies them from participating in the elections,” Kikonyogo said.
He condemned the move, describing it as a direct attack on democracy and a violation of citizens’ right to choose their leaders freely.
“We appeal to the government of Tanzania to allow Chadema to participate in the elections. If not, it means democracy in Tanzania is on the loose,” he said.
Kikonyogo cautioned that such actions set a dangerous precedent for the East African region.
“If this kind of political suppression can happen in Tanzania, it could spread to other partner states where incumbent governments may start blocking rival parties from elections on arbitrary grounds,” he warned.
The party urged the Ugandan government to safeguard the political space and resist any temptation to replicate Tanzania’s current stance toward opposition parties.
As of press time, the Ugandan government had not issued an official response to the concerns raised by FDC.
