KAMPALA UGANDA: The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has invited the general public to join in celebrating a belated milestone marking 70 years of veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye on April 30, 2026.

The “KB@70” celebrations had initially been scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, at the party headquarters, but were postponed following the untimely death of Hon. Hellen Nakimuli, the Woman Member of Parliament for Kalangala District.

In a statement issued to the public, party members, and supporters, PFF announced that the event would no longer take place as earlier planned. The party said the decision was made in respect and solidarity with the bereaved family, colleagues, and the nation following Nakimuli’s passing. She was described as a committed leader whose service deserved honour.

The postponement coincided with the official funeral programme released by Parliament of Uganda, which indicated that Nakimuli’s body would lie in state at Parliament on the same day the celebrations had been planned.

Meanwhile, on Monday evening, PFF confirmed April 30 as the new date for the celebrations, which will be held on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at Plot 6, Katonga Road, at the PFF headquarters.

The party noted that for seven decades, Dr. Besigye has personified the struggle for a fairer and freer Uganda. It said his journey is more than just a timeline of years, but a testament to an unyielding spirit. Despite a life marked by intimidation, torture, and imprisonment, the party said his resolve remains unshaken. Where others might have faltered, his hunger and thirst for true democracy have only grown stronger.

PFF added that the gathering would celebrate resilience and provide an opportunity for all change-seekers and citizens to honour a man who has sacrificed his personal comfort for the collective good. The party described Besigye as a beacon of hope for those who believe that power belongs to the people.

It further said the presence of supporters at the event would be a tribute to the values of freedom and democracy that Dr. Besigye has championed throughout his life.

Dr. Besigye, born on April 22, 1956, is a veteran opposition figure and former president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). He has contested in four presidential elections against President Yoweri Museveni.

Besigye was abducted and arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024, before being taken to Uganda where he later appeared in court. However, the trial has been marred by allegations of misuse of judicial processes, including disputes between his lawyers and the judges.