UFDO Ramps Up Campaign to Educate Ugandans on Federalism
A Federal Vision for Uganda According to UFDO chairperson, Mr. Frank Bulira Kabinga, the drive is grounded in a growing public demand for equitable resource distribution, stronger local governance, and the re-empowerment of cultural institutions.
Uganda Today Edition: UFDO Ramps Up Campaign to Educate Ugandans on Federalism
By Uganda Today News Desk
www.ugandatoday.co.ug | April 22, 2025
KAMPALA, UGANDA — The Uganda Federal Democratic Organisation (UFDO) has intensified its grassroots campaign to educate Ugandans about the principles and benefits of a federal system of governance. This initiative, which is gaining momentum across various districts, aims to demystify federalism and promote inclusive dialogue around Uganda’s political future.
Over the weekend, UFDO held a series of community meetings and public sensitization drives in central and western Uganda, where residents engaged with party leaders, legal experts, and historians on the historical, legal, and developmental relevance of a federal system. The sessions attracted diverse participants—from youth leaders and cultural custodians to civil servants and market vendors—all eager to understand how federalism could reshape Uganda’s governance framework.
A Federal Vision for Uganda
According to UFDO chairperson, Mr. Frank Bulira Kabinga, the drive is grounded in a growing public demand for equitable resource distribution, stronger local governance, and the re-empowerment of cultural institutions.
“Federalism is not a privilege—it is a constitutional option grounded in Uganda’s history. Our goal is to revive this conversation with facts, not fear,” Frank Kabinga told Uganda Today.
UFDO contends that under a federal arrangement, regions would have greater autonomy over their own budgets, cultural preservation, infrastructure priorities, and service delivery, reducing the current bureaucratic bottlenecks from the central government.
Use of Multimedia and Grassroots Mobilization
To reach wider audiences, the UFDO campaign incorporates video documentaries, community theatre, and short films in local languages. In one recent awareness video shared with Uganda Today, UFDO highlights how decentralized governance has successfully worked in other countries, drawing comparisons to Uganda’s historic 1962 federal setup before it was dismantled in 1966.
The video, filmed in both Luganda and English, features testimonials from scholars, federalist historians, and political commentators who speak to the viability of reintroducing federalism in modern-day Uganda.
Resistance and Momentum
Despite the campaign’s popularity in some regions—particularly in Buganda and parts of Bunyoro—UFDO has faced resistance from central government loyalists, who accuse the movement of promoting disunity. However, UFDO leaders insist their platform is rooted in constitutionalism, not rebellion.
“We are working within the law to push for reforms that will create a fairer, stronger Uganda,” said UFDO legal adviser Sarah Nantongo.
The group is also planning to present a petition to Parliament, urging lawmakers to reopen debate on the long-stalled federalism question—a topic that once dominated Uganda’s political discourse in the early 2000s during the constitutional review process.
What’s Next?
UFDO has pledged to continue sensitizing Ugandans through civic education, district dialogues, and partnerships with academia and civil society. A national symposium is scheduled for July 2025 in Kampala to convene stakeholders across the political spectrum for an in-depth exploration of Uganda’s governance alternatives.
As more Ugandans engage with these conversations, UFDO believes the momentum for a restructured and decentralized Uganda is slowly but surely building.
For continued information about federalism, decentralization, and political reform in Uganda, follow www.ugandatoday.co.ug.
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