A proposal by the Rt. Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament and current coordinator of the Democratic Alliance (DA), to field a joint opposition candidate against President Museveni in 2026 has sparked mixed reactions among political players.
Speaking at his maiden press conference, Mr. Mpuuga revealed that he had reached out to several opposition parties, inviting them to deliberate on a unified strategy to challenge the President, who has been in power since 1986.
“Some political parties have already received my invitation letters, while others are set to receive theirs soon,” he noted.
Despite this initiative, key opposition figures expressed skepticism. Mr. Fred Ebil, Secretary General of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC), questioned the effectiveness of a coalition. He proposed that all opposition parties field separate candidates in the first round to deny Museveni a majority vote. “If Museveni fails to secure a 50+1 majority, we can discuss forming a coalition in the second round,” he argued, citing historical failures of similar strategies.
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) also showed hesitation. Party spokesperson Mr. John Kikonyogo stated that their focus is on strengthening internal structures and selecting a presidential candidate through their established procedures.
“We won’t engage in discussions led by individuals whose motives remain unclear,” he said.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) echoed similar concerns. Mr. Waiswa Mufumbiro, NUP’s deputy spokesperson, dismissed the idea of engaging with Mr. Mpuuga, citing mistrust.
The backdrop of this proposal draws parallels to the failed Democratic Alliance (TDA) effort in 2016, where opposition parties could not agree on a single candidate to challenge Museveni. Analysts and stakeholders have highlighted trust issues, infiltration by the ruling party, and individual interests as significant hurdles to forming a viable coalition.
Ms. Sarah Birete, Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Governance, noted that while a coalition could be feasible, it would require transparency, a shared vision, and an honest assessment of each party’s strengths. She pointed out that regime infiltration has significantly eroded trust among opposition leaders, further complicating unity efforts.
Mr. Mpuuga remains optimistic, urging opposition parties to unite and develop a strategy to defeat Museveni. However, the mixed reactions from key players suggest that the road to a joint opposition candidate remains fraught with challenges.
As Uganda heads toward the 2026 elections, the opposition’s ability to overcome these divisions may determine its prospects for challenging President Museveni’s decades-long rule.
