Four-time former presidential candidate, Retired Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye Kifefe, made a resounding entrance into Bushenyi Ishaka Municipality on Saturday, greeted by enthusiastic supporters. The crowd swelled as he made his way to Kizinda playground in Ishaka town council, where Ankole districts' FDC chairmen made a unified declaration to form a new political party under Besigye's leadership.
Despite fervent calls from supporters for him to run for the presidency in 2026, Besigye adamantly dismissed any intention of standing again.
He cited his age, stating, "For me, I don't agree with people who want me as a candidate in 2026 elections because I will have made 70 then, so let us mobilise now and not wait for 2026."
Besigye's message resonated with the youth, whom he encouraged to begin grassroots mobilization immediately.
"To all the youth here, when you go back home, mobilise groups of 10 or 11 and begin our mobilization strategy and not wait for 2026," he urged.
Buhweju County MP, Francis Mwijukye, invoked history, likening the Katonga region to a path to the statehouse. He reminded the crowd that when Besigye and his colleagues passed through Katonga, they eventually captured Kampala, urging them to believe in Katonga's significance.
Ingrid Turinawe, Virginia Plan Mugyenyi, and other party officials publicly apologized for backing Patrick Oboi Amuriat in the previous election, claiming he later betrayed the FDC.
"Forgive me for supporting and introducing to you the people of Bushenyi, Amuriat who betrayed us as the FDC," Ingrid expressed.
Dr. Kizza Besigye and the FDC Katonga members are set to proceed to Kasese to conclude their consultative meetings on Sunday. Besigye's stance against running in 2026 signals a shift in Uganda's political landscape, with the emergence of a new party under his leadership potentially reshaping the country's political future.
The original Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) breakup stemmed from internal disagreements over leadership and strategy. The Katonga faction, led by Dr. Kizza Besigye with Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago as President, prioritized grassroots mobilization and direct confrontation with the government. In contrast, the Najjanankumbi faction, led by Patrick Oboi Amuriat, were accused of money exchange with the state. Tensions escalated when Amuriat was accused of betraying the party, leading to further divisions. The split became apparent post the 2021 elections, last year when Besigye and team put the claims public against Amuriat and Party general secretary Hon. Nandala Mafabi. This ideological divide ultimately led to the formation of two distinct factions within the FDC.
