Kawempe By-Election Violence Sets Warning Tone For 2026 Polls-Mpuuga

Mathias Mpuuga, the former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, has sounded the alarm on the escalating violence and intimidation in the Kawempe North by-election, warning that it sets a disturbing tone for the 2026 national polls.

Speaking on NBS TV‘s #NBSLiveAt9 news bulletin on March 6, 2025, the Democratic Alliance (DA) coordinator Mpuuga, expressed his deep concerns.

“First of all, you have a regime in survival lounge, and you have an opposition in disarray, unable to speak to themselves and each believing in their own power, of course, some living with their ignorance of how things should be done, and for me, that errands danger, it errands bad omen for the future.”

Mpuuga emphasized that the ongoing violence in Kawempe North is a “rehearsal of bad times ahead” and a clear indication that the regime is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain its grip on power.

He stressed the need for constitutional, electoral reforms, and transition before participating in the polls under the existing legal framework.

Highlighting the importance of addressing fears and concerns, Mpuuga said, “There are misconceptions about reforms because they are three lines of my arguments: constitutional reforms, electoral reforms, and transition… Part of what should be done is not necessarily legislation, but an up-close conversation for each of the parties to address their fears.”

He also noted, “I met the electoral commission, and they said what needed to be done is to give them legislations to empower them to do it, and they asserted that it was imperative on Parliament to give them laws, not them because they implement for the will of the people which is expressed through Parliament.”

Mpuuga revealed that he has been advocating for reforms for the last two and a half years, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring a free and fair electoral process. “But they [some opposition players had a fear that the ruling party would not accept,” he remarked.

He also posed a critical question: “And I pose a question: If the ruling party won’t accept reforms, how then do you think that they will announce you as the winner in the next election? It’s foolhardy for you to imagine that you are not going to push for reforms, but then you push for a declaration of your own victory.”

Various stakeholders, including the Uganda Law Society, which has condemned the escalating violence and human rights violations in the Kawempe North by-election, echo Mpuuga’s concerns. The society’s vice president, Anthony Asiimwe, emphasized the need for security forces to uphold the rule of law and democratic principles.

As the country hurtles towards the 2026 polls, Mpuuga’s warnings serve as a timely reminder of the importance of prioritizing democratic principles and the rule of law.

Nyendo-Mukungwe MP cautioned, “It can only get worse before it gets better… The actors, those in flight, those with a lot of confidence, and those with a lot of ignorance need to simply slow down and understand that this is not a game to play. That it’s a nation to lead and save and offer services to the people.”

Mpuuga also emphasized the need for collective action, saying, “Some of the reforms are not legislative, but critical commitments. You don’t get commitments by making so much noise, sometimes, commitment comes by sitting on the table and having conversations with the people you disagree with.”

“Invariably, the military is rehearsing a power grab like it has done over the last couple of elections because the elections were neither free nor fair, it means the military grabbed power from the people and handed it over to a particular outfit called the NRM, and this is what we wanted to stop,” he added.

Through these conversations, Mpuuga asserted, “you address fears to them, and they address their fears to you and you find common ground. The checkered history of our political DNA where our military over time determines the outcome of our elections, is being rehearsed, and that is the fear I have raised Parliament  and the parties I have met and asked of them before we generate a momentum of participating in next election, can we find common ground to push for commitments of the ruling party which is intertwined with the state to commit not to abduct people, commit to no violence, not to killing people during elections to even commit to change particular legislations that we have an opportunity at free and fair electoral process?”

He further noted that the Kawempe North by-election has come at an opportune time, serving as a stark reminder of the need for reforms.

“So, don’t think it’s late, and I believe that the Kawempe North by-election probably with all squabbles comes in time as a stark reminder of what we should have done months back.”

Mpuuga’s call for reforms is not a new development. In December 2024, he unveiled the Democratic Alliance’s plans to push for meaningful political and electoral reforms ahead of the 2026 general elections.

As the country navigates the complex web of electoral reforms, Mpuuga’s warnings serve as a clarion call to all stakeholders to rise to the occasion and ensure that Uganda’s democratic future is not sacrificed at the altar of political expediency.