Opposition candidates from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Fort Portal City have formed an alliance aimed at mobilising votes and safeguarding them during the January 15, 2026 General Election.
The alliance codenamed United Force of Change, brings together opposition candidates contesting for various parliamentary seats within Fort Portal City. The candidates say the move is intended to deliver victory for the opposition, whose broader goal is to unseat President Museveni and other ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders.
Speaking at a joint press conference on Monday, the opposition candidates urged voters to cast their ballots for only opposition candidates at all levels. They said they would deploy and coordinate their accredited polling agents to protect the vote.
Mr Ajuna Daka, the FDC candidate for Fort Portal Central Division Member of Parliament and the party’s National Secretary for Mobilisation and Organisation, said the alliance with NUP candidates was formed to prevent vote rigging.
‘We decided to work together because we do not want this election to be marred by vote rigging by NRM candidates,’ Mr Daka said.
He added that the alliance would jointly mobilise voters to turn up in large numbers on polling day and vote for opposition candidates.
‘As opposition candidates, we are going to do things together. We shall share notes, coordinate agent deployment, facilitate and empower our agents jointly so that there is no weakness the NRM can exploit,’ he said.
Mr Daka said opposition candidates have agreed to rise above party colors as the election draws closer because they face similar challenges.
‘We joined our sisters and brothers from NUP. Where FDC does not have a candidate, voters should support NUP, and where NUP does not have a candidate, their supporters should vote for FDC. Where both parties have candidates, voters are free to choose,’ he explained.
Ms Jackline Atuhaire, the NUP candidate for Fort Portal City Woman Member of Parliament, said opposition unity is key to preventing the ruling party candidates from winning.
‘When we fail to unite, we give the ruling party an advantage. Now that we are united, we want voters also to unite and vote for opposition candidates only,’ Ms Atuhaire said.
She added that the opposition aims to end NRM’s four-decade rule, arguing that the Tooro sub-region has not benefited adequately under President Museveni’s leadership.
Mr Davis Rwamuhumbu, the NUP coordinator for the Tooro sub-region, said the alliance includes cooperation at polling stations to ensure vote protection.
‘At polling stations where one opposition party lacks an agent, another opposition agent will step in to ensure the vote is protected,’ Mr Rwamuhumbu said.
He added that compromised agents will be replaced immediately and that the remaining campaign period will feature joint rallies by FDC and NUP candidates.
Mr Rwamuhumbu cited unfulfilled government projects in the region, including the industrial park and Buhinga Stadium, as reasons for the call for change.
‘As NUP, we do not have a candidate for Fort Portal Central Division MP. We are asking all our supporters to vote for the FDC candidate on that seat,’ he said.