The interim President of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction, Erias Lukwago, has warned the security agencies, including the Uganda Police, Intelligence Security Organization (ISO), and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), against hindering the process of signature collection for the new party, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF).

According to Lukwago, the signature collection exercise of endorsing PFF was legalized by the Electoral Commission (EC), stating that they don’t expect any interference from security networks.

“Of course, we expect no security agency to interrupt the registration process, particularly the police officers, including the RDCs, GISOs, and all members of the security network. Our exercise is legitimate because we have clearance from the EC, and we shall do it publically,” Lukwago said.

Lukwago made the remarks while addressing the members of the press during the launch of the PFF signature collection held on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Katonga Road in Kampala.

During the launch, Lukwago also appealed to Ugandans who would wish to be part of the registration process of PFF to cooperate with the registry team led by Ingrid Turinawe to append their signatures to register the party responsible for liberating Uganda.

“Ugandans, you are most welcome to the network of the struggle for liberation. We are not here to compete for political positions with anyone. We understand that participation in the elections is important as a strategy for advancing the struggle, but it’s not primarily about competing for political space or power; ours is about struggling to liberate Uganda,” Lukwago said.

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Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the spokesperson of the FDC Katonga faction, said that all categories of people, including farmers, Boda Boda riders, teachers, and doctors, among others, would be allowed to participate in the collection of signatures, emphasizing that all participants will be required to present their voter numbers registered with the EC.

He added that FDC Katonga leaders will continue to be the rightful leaders of the FDC party until PFF is declared as a political party by the EC, stating that the decision to dissolve FDC will then be effected by the delegates’ conference.

Since the eruption of the internal conflicts in the FDC party, the leadership based in Najjanakumbi has been sending an olive branch to the Katonga leaders seeking fertile ground for reconciliation; however, with the EC’s permission, to further the registration of PFF, Katonga leaders seem to be unbothered by the olive branch from Najjanankumbi.