FDC Katonga branch hits back at EC, vows not to change new party name, colours

Kampala September 13—The Katonga based branch of the opposition Forum for the Democratic Change, FDC, has vowed not to change its reserved name for the new party, People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) or its colours as advised by the Electoral Commission.

It also accused the Electoral Commission of undermining them favouring the Najjanankumbi based FDC faction.

In a letter to the FDC Katonga faction, who are the promoters of the PFF party, the Electoral Commission secretary, Leonard Mulekwah, advised that the name of the party they chose, closely resembles an already reserved People Power Front (PPF) party, which is likely to confuse members of the public. He also noted that the party’s choice of colours, the white and royal blue, closely resemble those used by FDC Najjanankumbi.

The Electoral Commission however emphasized that the Commission has not rejected the registration of the party but was only giving guidance on what is needed to be done because registering a political party is a process and this is part of it.

The Katonga base FDC spokesperson, Ssemujju Ngand a, told the media that apart from the printout of their Party colours and symbol, which they did not hand to the Commission and were going to hand them over soon, they have nothing to change because there is no justification in the law and common sense.

“The FDC registered sky blue, red and yellow, it is not blue and blue has different shades. The dominant colour of NUP as registered with EC is blue, the colours of Justice Forum is blue, Uganda People’s Congress UPC has blue in it and so many other parties. I find it strange that the same EC, which has registered other parties with blue, are now saying that our blue resembles the one of FDC”, Ssemujju said

“The same Electoral Commission has registered the Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, People’s Progressive Party, and People’s Development Party where initials look the same and for our case, they are exhibiting some bias, the resemblance doesn’t mean they are the same”, Ssemujju Nganda emphasized.