Mpuuga Seeks Serious Endeavor, Not Casual, Ritualistic Presidential Candidacy

Former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga has expressed gratitude to the Democratic Party (DP) bloc for endorsing him as their presidential candidate, but urged caution, advising them to hold off for now.

The Commissioner of Parliament emphasized the need to prioritize creating an enabling environment for change through constitutional and electoral reforms before pursuing presidential ambitions.

At a press conference on Friday, Nyendo-Mukugwe’s Mpuuga told his “old comrades” to focus on advancing the Constitutional and Electoral Reforms agenda.

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Owing to the lack of a favorable legal framework for a level playing field, Mpuuga described presidential candidacies as often “casual” and “ritualistic,” stressing the importance of a serious endeavor.

Mpuuga appreciated the DP bloc’s kindness, acknowledging his capability for leadership. However, he emphasized that many Ugandans are capable of leading, unfortunately without participation opportunities, thus the stance that the focus should be on creating a conducive environment for leaders to emerge.

“All I can say is that… let us first concentrate on creating an environment that makes it possible for leaders to emerge and compete favorably beyond the self-interest, and our desires to be on the ballot paper,” Mpuuga said.

Mpuuga asserted that being on the presidential ballot should not be “casual, it should not be a ritual; it should be a serious endeavor.”

He encouraged the DP bloc to prioritize reforms, ensuring a favorable environment for change.

“I appreciate them, and I will encourage them when I meet them that we can put much energy on these [constitutional and electoral reforms] issues to make it possible for change to happen, then I have no doubt in my mind that we shall the opportunity as the opposition sit in a cool room like this and agree on our best foot forward and on our best bet when the time comes.”

On Thursday, during their leadership event in a Kampala suburb, Michael Mabikke, a prominent member of the DP bloc, announced the bloc’s intention to support Mpuuga for the presidency in the forthcoming 2026 general elections, citing the need for effective leadership.

The DP bloc’s endorsement reflects a broader effort to consolidate opposition support for the 2026 presidential race. Mpuuga is seen as a unifying force within the opposition, known for his vocal opposition to the current regime.

Samuel Lubega Mukaaku, another DP bloc leader, praised Mpuuga’s leadership skills, saying, “no one is perfect, but he [Mpuuga] passes the mark.”

Mukaaku recalled Mpuuga’s unifying leadership style their preferred candidate applied as the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP) which kept the opposition together despite their party affiliation differences.

“When Mpuuga was LoP, he mobilized every team in parliament to put them on board for consultations and ensure that we have a common goal in parliament, and outside,” Mukaaku said.

In developed democracies like the USA and UK which various Uganda’s politicians selectively espouse, and copy and paste, prominent presidents emerge from grounded and experienced legislators, a quality the DP bloc sees in Mpuuga.

However, occupied with advocating for reforms, aimed at redefining Uganda’s electoral landscape, Mpuuga asked for ample time to make a meaningful impact before pursuing personal “interests”, and “our desires to be on the ballot paper.”