PPP Throws Weight Behind DA’s Push For Constitutional, Electoral Reforms

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on January 23, 2025, warmly welcomed and committed to working with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in pushing for constitutional, electoral reforms, and a transitional framework.

This development comes after a closed meeting between the PPP and a DA delegation, which included national coordinator Mathias Mpuuga, Masaka City MP Juliet Nakabuye Kakande, and Kimanya-Kabonera MP Dr. Abed Bwanika, among others.

Speaking from their office in Ntinda, Sadam Gayira, the acting PPP president, hailed the DA’s agenda, stating, “A few weeks back, we received a letter from DA requesting this meeting… we accepted and could not say no to whoever wanted to dialogue with us.”

He added that the meeting was productive, with the DA presenting propositions on electoral and constitutional reforms, as well as transition.

Gayira emphasized that most of the proposals were agreeable to them, given that the PPP had also generated its own propositions.

He pledged that the PPP would present the proposals to its party organs for scrutiny and enrichment.

“Ultimately, when they [DA] come up with the final document, our proposals shall also be presented in theirs,” Gayira asserted.

The PPP president stressed the importance of working together on reforms, saying, “there is no way we can go to another national election without making any reform in the electoral laws. How can we do that?”

He encouraged the DA and other parties to see the issue as non-partisan, requiring collective effort to ensure that electoral laws and the constitution are revisited.

Mathias Mpuuga, the national coordinator of the DA, expressed gratitude for the PPP’s willingness to engage.

“We have spoken variously to the nation about our intention to interact with all stakeholders, and we regard PPP as one of the key stakeholders,” Mpuuga said.

He emphasized the need for a united front in pushing for reforms, saying, “We remain committed to this path… pursuing the objective of commonality of purpose in ensuring that this country undertakes an electoral process that is devoid of fraud, deceit, and ill-purpose.”

Mpuuga also expressed concern about individuals complaining about the voter registration process while opposing reforms.

“You must have heard some individuals already complaining about the manner in which the voter register and update of the voter register is being done. That is a serious reform matter, and I am wondering why people who are zealous about the next election cannot see that the vote is being rigged merely at the constituting of the voters’ register,” Mpuuga wondered at some opposition characters refusing to join the call for electoral reforms.

“You know, we have two registers. The biometrics and then the hard copy, which is a very serious issue. So, these are the issues that we would like stakeholders in Uganda to congregate on issues of electoral reforms, the constitution, and MPs of Parliament where our reforms have not seen the light of day,” Mpuuga explained.

Mpuuga called for stakeholders to unite around the reform agenda, ensuring that the conversation gains traction and becomes central to the national discourse.

The commitment by the PPP to work with the DA marks an important step towards achieving electoral reforms. With the 2026 elections looming, the need for collective action on reforms has become more pressing than ever.