On the eve of the Martyrs Day celebrations at Namugongo, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has drawn parallels between historical atrocities under King Mwanga and the current regime’s actions under President Museveni and his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
At a press briefing today, the PFF accused Museveni of replicating the brutal tactics of past rulers, citing widespread kidnappings, torture, and extrajudicial killings, and called on the clergy and pilgrims at Namugongo to denounce these acts.
The PFF likened Museveni’s 40-year rule to the authoritarianism of Buganda’s historical kings such as Mwanga, who executed citizens for their beliefs. Mwanga, who ascended the throne in 1884, ordered the killing of Christian converts in 1886, blaming them for undermining his authority.
The PFF claimed that Museveni, as a “supreme leader and judge,” commands imprisonment, exile, or execution through security outfits like the Joint Anti-Terrorism (JAT) and Special Forces Command (SFC). They highlighted General Muhoozi public boasts on social media about torturing citizens, escalating the regime’s cruelty.
The political outfit urged the clergy and faithful gathered at Namugongo, where martyrs were executed, to reject the Museveni’s “devil-like conduct.” They cited cases like the murders of boxer Isaac Ssenyange (Zebra), Sheik Kilevu, Yasin Kauma, and dozens killed during the 2020 elections, Kayunga protests, and Kasese clashes. The party called for sermons to focus on state brutality, forced disappearances, and torture, urging pilgrims to draw courage from the martyrs to fight for freedom.
Besigye’s Detention
On the continued detention of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale, who have been held for over 180 days on charges of treason and misprision of treason, PFF said this as a deliberate tactic to keep them imprisoned, noting that Museveni has used similar strategies to deny bail to political prisoners by committing them to the High Court just before the 180-day remand limit.
It accused the regime of fabricating evidence against Besigye and other PFF leaders, including Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Salaamu Musumba, and spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda. The party argued that the absence of credible evidence forces the regime to rely on “trickery” to keep Besigye detained, avoiding a trial where charges would collapse.
PFF Registration process
The PFF announced that the 14-day public objection period for its registration with the Electoral Commission (EC) has ended, following its gazetting on May 16, 2025. The party demanded the EC issue its certificate of registration without delay, as nominations for the 2026 general elections, starting with Special Interest Groups, began today.
A PFF team visited the EC on May 30 and was told to wait. The party plans to follow up this week and advised candidates seeking PFF sponsorship to contact its Election Desk, led by Michael Kabaziguruka.
The political group called on Ugandans to emulate the courage of the Uganda Martyrs in resisting oppression. They urged the EC to act swiftly on their registration and demanded Besigye’s release, emphasizing that his detention is a politically motivated effort to silence opposition ahead of the 2026 elections.
The party vowed to continue mobilizing for freedom and justice, drawing inspiration from the martyrs’ sacrifice.
What I think,Uganda should reform from power strangle to serving true Nation but not having personal gain like president Museveni and son.that is to say lead people but not selling and killing people.remember,any time we are gone for heaven.leaving what you are struggling for on Earth.