The leaders of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) have been blamed for abandoning their own member, Muhamood Mutazindwa, who is contesting in the Kawempe North by-elections to replace the fallen legislator, Mohamed Ssegirinya.
On Monday, 10th March 2025, Erias Lukwago, the interim PFF chairperson, and Ambassador Wasswa Bigirwa, another notable leader in the FDC breakaway, publicly campaigned for the National Unity Platform-NUP candidate in Kanyanya suburb against Mutazindwa.
This has attracted sharp criticism from other opposition stalwarts who have accused them of a double standard.
In their submission, the duo claimed they were working towards a united opposition by backing a joint candidate.
Whereas PFF is not a registered political party, the critics believe that Lukwago and Bigirwa should have backed their own Mutazindwa, who is contesting on an independent ticket.
Stella Nyanzi, a political critic and a member of FDC, questioned why the PFF leaders failed to support their own member.
Nyanzi questioned whether the PFF leaders’ shift to support the NUP candidate was based on genuine political principles or driven by personal expediency ahead of the 2026 general elections.
“Did the People’s Front for Freedom tear away from Forum for Democratic Change in order to join NUP? Was that the initial mission, or has this somehow become a matter of political expedience?” she asked. Nyanzi’s frustration reflects a broader skepticism within the opposition about whether these alliances are truly meant to liberate Uganda or simply secure political positions for key figures.
Ssegirinya’s family members endorsed different candidates, further fragmenting the opposition vote.
The constituency has nine parishes with 197 polling stations, and it is densely populated, with most of the residents living in the slums. The polling date for Kawempe North by-elections is scheduled for 13th March 2025.
The Kawempe North seat became vacant after the death of Muhammad Ssegirinya in January, and a total of 10 candidates were nominated by the Electoral Commission.
The candidates include Murerwa Hanifa Karadi (independent), Luwemba Lusswa Muhammed (independent), Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola (National Unity Platform), Mukiibi Sadat (Forum for Democratic Change), Nsereko Moses (independent), Musiitwa Ismail (People’s Progressive Party), Mutazindwa Muhamood (independent), Kasacca Henry Mubiru (Democratic Party), and Faridah Nambi Kigongo, the NRM candidate.
