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Botswana Patriotic Front
Botswana Patriotic Front
Leader	Mephato Reatile
Chairperson	Oboetswe Gabotlale
General Secretary	Tshekedi Khama
Founded	July 2019
Split from	Botswana Democratic Party
Ideology	Pro-Ian Khama; Populism; Ngwato interests
Political position	Big tent
National affiliation	None; Formerly: Umbrella for Democratic Change; (2022–2024);
National Assembly	5 / 61
Pan African Parliament	0 / 5
Election symbol
Website
	www.bpf-party.co.bw
	Politics of Botswana; Political parties; Elections;

The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) is a populist political party in Botswana formed in July 2019 by members of the Botswana Democratic Party who split from the party because of a high-profile rivalry between former Presidents Ian Khama and Mokgweetsi Masisi.

History

The party was officially launched in July 2019 as a split from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).^[3] It was backed by former president and BDP leader Ian Khama after he left the party.^[1]

In the October 2019 general elections, the party received 4.3% of the vote and won three seats, all in Khama's home area of Central District – Tshekedi Khama II elected in Serowe West, Leepetswe Lesedi in Serowe South and Baratiwa Mathoothe in Serowe North. However, party leader Biggie Butale failed to be elected in Tati West.^[4]

On 6 August 2022, the BPF joined the Umbrella for Democratic Change alliance, at that time, uniting all opposition parties in the National Assembly except the Alliance for Progressives.^[5] However, during a party retreat on the 6th of April 2024, the party left the alliance, opting for a "pact model" instead of running under the UDC symbol ahead of the 2024 elections.^[6]

Election results

National Assembly

Election	Leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position	Status
2019	Biggie Butale	34,028	4.41%	3 / 57	New	3rd	Opposition
2024	Mephato Reatile	TBC	TBC	5 / 61	2	3rd	Opposition

Election symbol

The Botswana Patriotic Front uses a clock with its arms pointing at 4 o'clock as its logo or election symbol. The clock is accompanied by the words Ke Nako, meaning "it is time" in Setswana.^[7]