Mpuuga Finally Makes Headway In Fulfilling His Reforms Before 2026 Polls

After seven months of long waiting, Nyendo-Mukungwe MP and Parliamentary Commissioner Mathias Mpuuga has finally received the green light to introduce one of the eight substantive bills related to the Constitutional and Electoral reforms ahead of the 2026 general elections.

This comes after Democratic Alliance (DA) national coordinator Mpuuga was permitted to introduce the Political Parties and Organizations (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Mpuuga’s private member’s bill aims to revolutionize the way political parties and organizations operate under the multiparty system in Uganda.

The bill, which was granted leave by Parliament under the stewardship of Speaker Anita Among on May 14, 2025, seeks to clarify the provisions relating to the formation of coalitions and mergers by political parties and organizations.

According to Mpuuga, this move is crucial for promoting unity and cooperation among political parties.

“We need to create an environment where political parties can work together seamlessly,” Mpuuga said, “the current legal framework is restrictive and limited in scope, hindering the growth of political mergers and coalitions.”

The bill proposes to amend the Political Parties and Organizations Act, Cap 178, by introducing clear definitions of “coalition” and “merger.”

It also outlines the procedures for registering coalitions and mergers, ensuring that the process is transparent and efficient.

One of the key highlights of the Mpuuga bill is the provision for the registration of coalitions.

“A coalition shall be registered by the [Electoral] Commission and issued with a registration certificate,” the bill reads. This move is expected to provide clarity and legitimacy to coalitions, enabling them to operate effectively.

The bill also outlines the grounds for dissolving coalitions and the mechanisms for sharing funds provided to political parties and organizations. This will ensure that resources are utilized efficiently and that political parties are held accountable.

Mpuuga’s bill is a significant step towards promoting democracy and good governance in Uganda. By providing a clear framework for political parties and organizations to operate, the bill will help to create a more level playing field for all stakeholders.

The introduction of this bill is proof of Mpuuga’s commitment to reforming the political landscape in Uganda. As the country heads towards the 2026 elections, this bill is timely and crucial in promoting unity and cooperation among political parties.

The bill will now undergo a first reading, after which it will be published and debated by Members of Parliament. If passed, the bill will mark a significant milestone in Uganda’s democratic journey.

With this development, Ugandans can look forward to a more inclusive and dynamic political environment, where political parties and organizations can work together to build a better future for all.

The proposed amendment in Details :THE POLITICAL PARTIES AND ORGANISATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL

ARRANGEMENT OF CLAUSES

1. Amendment of Cap 178
2. Replacement of section 17 of the principal Act
3. Replacement of section 18 of principal Act

A Bill for an Act

ENTITLED

THE POLITICAL PARTIES AND ORGANISATIONS (AMENDMENT) ACT

An Act to amend the Political Parties and Organisations Act Cap 178 to clarify the provisions relating to formation of coalitions and mergers by political parties and political organisations; and for related matters;

BE IT ENACTED by Parliament as follows-

1. Amendment of Cap 178

The Political Parties and Organisations Act, in this Act referred to as the principal Act, is amended in section 1, by inserting the following definition, appropriately-

“coalition” means an alliance of two or more political parties or political organisations formed for the purpose of pursuing a common goal;

“merger” means an alliance where two or more political parties or political organisations consolidate their operations and combine all officers, structure, and other functions of the political parties;

2. Replacement of section 17 of principal Act

For section 17, there the following is substituted-

• Any two or more political parties or political organisations may merge to form a political party or political organisation.
• Political parties or political organisations which intend to merge under subsection (1) shall enter into a merger agreement, in writing, executed by the political party officials authorized to execute agreements on behalf of the concerned political parties or political organisations.
• The governing body of each political party or political organisation that intends to merge shall—
• determine the constitution, rules, regulations, and the principles which shall form the basis of the merger and the registration of the new political party or political organisation; and
• sign the merger agreement and the particulars for the new political party or political organisation to be registered under this Act.
• The merger agreement shall be deposited with the Electoral Commission within twenty-one days of the signing of the merger agreement.
• Section 6 shall with the necessary modifications apply to the registration of a new political party or political organisation that is created after the merger.
• Political parties and political organisations which have merged into a new political party or political organisation under this section shall stand dissolved upon registration of the new political party or political organisation.
• Where a political party or political organisation merges with another political party or political organisation, a member of the political party or political organisation that has merged with another political party or political organisation who is a member of Parliament or is serving in any other elective office, and does not desire to be a member of the new political party or political organisation formed after the merger, shall continue to serve as a member of Parliament or that elective office, and may join another political party or political organisation or remain in Parliament or any other elective position as an independent member for the remainder of his or her term of office.

3. Replacement of section 18 of principal Act

For section 18 of the principal Act, there is substituted the following-

“18. Coalition of Political parties and organisations  

• Any two or more registered political party or organisations may at any time form a coalition.
• Political parties or organisations which intend to form a coalition shall enter into a coalition agreement.
• A coalition agreement referred to in subsection (2) shall be deposited with the Commission at least three months from the date of execution of the coalition agreement.
• A coalition agreement shall be in writing and executed by the authorized national party leaders of the political party or organisation which is a party to the coalition agreement.
• A Coalition agreement shall state—
• the name of the coalition;
• the parties which are members of the coalition;
• the policies and objectives of the coalition;
• the general organisational structure and management of the coalition, including the role of the governing body of the coalition;
• the role of the governing body of each of the political party or organisation that is a party to the coalition agreement in the running of the affairs of the coalition;
• the duration of the coalition agreement;
• the roles and responsibilities of principal persons in the coalition, including the criteria or formula for sharing of positions in the coalition structure;
• the coalition election rules;
• the coalition nomination rules;
• the coalition’s identifying symbols, slogan and colour;
• the dispute resolution mechanisms and procedures;
• the enforcement and sanction mechanisms and procedures for breach of any of the provisions of the coalition agreement;
• the formula and mechanisms for sharing of funds provided to political parties and organisations under this Act;
• the grounds upon which the coalition may be dissolved including the mechanisms and procedures to be followed; and
• any other matter that the Minister may prescribe, by statutory instrument.
• A coalition shall be registered by the Commission and issued with a registration certificate.
• The Minister shall by statutory instrument prescribe the procedure for registration of coalitions.
• Upon registration of a coalition the individual political parties or organisations that are members of the coalition shall continue to exists as political parties or organisations except that the individual political parties or organisations shall not undertake any individual party activity except those activities that are expressly provided in the coalition agreement.
• Subject to subsection (8), where in any election the coalition and a party or organisation which is a member of the coalition each sponsor different candidates-
• a candidate sponsored by the coalition shall be identified by the symbol of the coalition on the ballot paper; and
• a candidate sponsored by a political party or organisation which is party to the coalition agreement shall be identified by the symbol of the party or organisation he or she represents in the election.
• the fees payable under the Act by or in respect of a candidate for election shall be paid separately by or for each candidate standing in the election by either the coalition or by the individual political party or organisation.