On Friday, political figures reacted with mixed feelings to the launch of the Democratic Alliance (DA), a political platform initiated by former Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Mathias Mpuuga. During the event, Mpuuga, who represents Nyendo-Mukungwe, revealed plans for the DA to eventually transform into a full-fledged political party, with ambitions to contest the 2026 General Election. His supporters believe the DA could bolster the opposition’s chances of challenging the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and potentially deny them a majority in the upcoming polls. However, critics argue that the formation of another political platform could further fragment the opposition, inadvertently strengthening President Museveni’s position.
The DA’s launch, which drew around 5,000 supporters from regions like Masaka, Luweero, and Jinja, was held in downtown Kampala. The event, well-secured by police, saw speeches from various political figures, including Mpuuga, who emphasized the need for electoral reforms and a unified effort to address Uganda’s challenges. He stated that the DA’s mission is to bring a free and fair election process, underscoring the importance of healing a country he described as “sick” and “injured.”
Mpuuga did not reveal his personal political aspirations, but he made it clear that the platform will field candidates in all positions, including the presidency. He also addressed the need for constitutional amendments and electoral reforms to ensure a transparent election process. "In a few months, we will be consulting on the reforms necessary to achieve this," Mpuuga stated, further stressing that the DA will aim to unite the country under a common cause.
This latest political venture follows a recent split in the opposition, with the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) party withdrawing from the Holy Alliance, which included parties such as the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Justice Forum (Jeema), and the Democratic Party (DP) Bloc. The DP Bloc had previously considered Mpuuga as a potential presidential candidate for the 2026 election.
Mpuuga's decision to form the DA has raised questions about its impact on his former party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), which garnered significant support in Buganda during the 2021 election. NUP officials have dismissed Mpuuga’s move, with party spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro describing him as irrelevant. Despite this, other opposition leaders, including FDC president Patrick Oboi Amuriat, have welcomed the formation, seeing it as a positive step for the opposition’s unity ahead of the 2026 elections.
However, some political analysts warn that unless the opposition unites, they risk legitimizing the continued dominance of the NRM. Sarah Bireete, executive director for the Centre of Constitutional Governance, stressed that the opposition’s fragmented state weakens their efforts against a ruling party that already has significant control over state resources.
