Category: Daily Monitor

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) yesterday launched its 2026-2031 manifesto, presenting five key priority areas that it says will shape Uganda’s development over the next five years, should it secure another term in office. The new blueprint under the theme ‘Protecting The Gains’ shows both continuity and shifts from the party’s previous manifesto for 2021-2026, which was themed ‘Securing Your Future’ and built around five broad pillars including wealth and job creation, social services, justice and equity, security, and economic and political integration. The 2026-2031 manifesto maintains an emphasis on employment, but shifts the focus toward industrialisation as a key engine of economic growth.

Speaking at the launch of the manifesto in Kampala, the NRM secretary general, Mr Richard Todwong, said they plan to increase Parish Development Model allocations to Shs300 million for Kampala and metropolitan areas, and provide additional support for households headed by PDM beneficiaries, signalling continuity with previous commitments while scaling up urban impact. Agriculture remains central in the new manifesto, but its role has shifted from rural poverty alleviation to serving as a foundation for industrial growth.

Similarly, infrastructure, which was highlighted in the 2021-2026 manifesto as a tool to overcome gaps in electricity, transport, and water access, is now elevated to a standalone priority area. The oil and gas sector, which was a minor component in the previous manifesto, now emerges as a major focus, signalling Uganda’s intent to leverage petroleum development as a driver of jobs, industrialisation, and national revenue. Education and health remain in focus, but their prominence has decreased compared to the previous term. Below and on page 5 are the key priorities in 2026-2032 manifesto.

Human capital development

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) considers investment in human capital as central to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. Recognising that development cannot occur without a healthy, educated, and skilled population, the party has prioritised education, healthcare, and access to clean water. Building on previous investments in immunisation and universal education, the manifesto emphasises reforms to make institutions of learning produce more job creators rather than job seekers. The NRM also pledges to train more professionals such as doctors, engineers, nurses, and science teachers, while harnessing the talents of young Ugandans in sports, music, and the arts by investing in supportive infrastructure and programmes. The party indicated that it will maintain free Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) and expand access to post-secondary and vocational training.

The party pledges to recruit more teachers, improve teacher-to-pupil ratios, rehabilitate schools, construct new seed secondary schools, expand infrastructure in public universities, and operationalise Bunyoro and Busoga universities. Investments will also target instructional materials, staff housing, teacher salaries, and the alignment of curricula to market demands, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and vocational education. In healthcare, efforts will continue to digitise healthcare through e-Health systems, improve diagnostic capacity with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital X-ray machines, expand reproductive and maternal health services, and enhance mental health care and disease prevention programmes, including immunisation and malaria eradication initiatives.

Growing the economy and creating wealth.

NRM has outlined a comprehensive strategy to grow Uganda’s economy over the next five years, aiming to fully monetise the economy, double its size, and ensure that every adult Ugandan actively participates in producing goods or services. Central to this plan is the commercialisation of agriculture, which the party says will target the remaining 33 percent of households still engaged in subsistence farming. They intend to provide affordable and patient capital, guide citizens in selecting profitable enterprises, and invest in the entire agricultural value chain, from research to markets.

Post-harvest management will be strengthened through community grain stores, milk coolers, maize and rice milling equipment, and farmer training, while extension services, cold chain facilities, and export compliance support will ensure higher quality and value addition for agricultural products. Value addition is a key focus, particularly for commodities like coffee, cotton, tea, and minerals, which have historically been exported raw, leading to the loss of billions in potential revenue, jobs, and foreign exchange. The NRM pledges to expand local processing facilities for coffee, fruits, cassava, sugar, and tea to retain more economic value within the country, boost household incomes, and create sustainable employment opportunities.

The manifesto also prioritises investment in manufacturing as a driver of economic growth, emphasising local production of goods previously imported, including soap, sugar, cement, steel, paper, dairy, and processed foods. Manufacturing contributes significantly to GDP and exports, and the government aims to continue expanding this sector to reduce import dependence and create jobs. Tourism will be leveraged as a growth engine, with efforts to increase visitor numbers, length of stay, and spending. Investment in science, technology, and innovation, alongside ICT, is also highlighted to support high-value industries and build a knowledge-based economy.

Infrastructure development

The party has also identified infrastructure as a cornerstone of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation, emphasising that development cannot occur without reliable roads, electricity, water, railway, and ICT. Over the past decades, the party indicated that it has prioritised connecting the country, improving energy access, and modernising transport and communication systems. Between 1986 and 2024, Uganda’s tarmac road network expanded from 1,000 km to 6,306 km, with an additional 1,135 km under construction. Investments have included city roads, traffic signal systems, and feeder roads under the District, Urban, and Community Access Roads (DUCAR) programme, representing 87 percent of Uganda’s road network. The NRM has also distributed modern road construction equipment to districts and allocated funds to ensure routine maintenance, although corruption remains a challenge the government pledges to address.

Rail transport is being strengthened through rehabilitation of the metre gauge railway from Malaba to Kampala and Tororo to Gulu, as well as the construction of a new standard gauge railway to reduce freight costs and transit time, improving regional connectivity. Water transport investments include modernisation of Port Bell, Jinja Pier, Bukasa Port construction, and ferry upgrades, while air transport development involves Uganda Airlines expansion, construction of new airports in Hoima and Kidepo, and upgrading domestic aerodromes. In energy, Uganda now generates more than 2,052 MWs, with new dams and private-sector plants enhancing electricity access nationwide. Transmission networks have been expanded, connecting all districts except Buvuma and Obongi.

To meet rising urbanisation, NRM promises affordable housing through land development, private-sector collaboration, and capital support via Housing Finance Bank and the National Housing and Construction Corporation. By continuing to expand transport, energy, ICT, and housing infrastructure, NRM aims to create an enabling environment for wealth creation, economic growth, and improved quality of life across Uganda. The government pledges to modernise both social and economic infrastructure across the country, ranging from roads and electricity to schools, hospitals, and internet connectivity. By reducing the costs of doing business through improved infrastructure, the party believes wealth creators will enjoy better profits and reinvest more in the economy.damal]

Democracy, good governance, and security.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has maintained that democracy, good governance, and security are pillars for Uganda’s sustainable development. In advancing democracy, the party commits to conducting regular, free, and fair elections while promoting inclusivity. Women, youth, people with disabilities, workers, and the elderly will continue to have opportunities to participate in policy formulation and decision-making at all levels of government through affirmative action.

NRM will also leverage digital technologies to enhance the transparency and efficiency of electoral processes while strengthening the capacity of the National Electoral Commission to conduct civic education, monitor elections, and resolve disputes promptly. Inter-party dialogue will also be promoted through continued support for the Inter Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), fostering collaboration and political stability.

Decentralisation remains a core strategy for citizen empowerment and the pledged to induct new elected leaders on their oversight responsibilities, fill critical vacancies in local governments, and facilitate barazas to encourage dialogue between citizens and local authorities. Corruption is a major challenge, and NRM promises to strengthen investigative institutions, including the Inspectorate of Government, Office of the Auditor General, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, and other anti-corruption agencies.

Measures include digitisation of government services, whistleblower protection, monitoring of local leaders and capacity building for the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court. In security, NRM will continue to maintain well-trained, community-focused forces. Investments in the welfare of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, police, and prisons personnel will be prioritised, alongside improved forensic capabilities and civilian engagement to protect lives and property, ensuring a safe and stable environment for socio-economic growth.

Regional integration and political federation.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) underscores Pan-Africanism as a core principle, emphasising the importance of regional integration for Uganda’s prosperity and the continent’s development. Africa’s population of 1.4 billion is dispersed across numerous small states, limiting internal markets and constraining economic growth. Low incomes and limited regional connectivity further hinder trade and market expansion. NRM notes that strategic infrastructure projects, such as the Mpondwe-Beni highway linking Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, are critical in easing cross-border trade and improving regional connectivity.

By facilitating the free movement of goods, services, and investments across Africa, the party aims to ensure Ugandan producers have access to broader markets, reducing reliance on external economies and increasing domestic prosperity. To achieve this, NRM promises to actively support the implementation of the East African Community (EAC) Political Federation, including the promulgation of the EAC Constitution. The party will work with EAC member states to remove non-tariff barriers, promote Kiswahili as a unifying language, and leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement to boost intra-African trade. President Museveni who launched the manifesto yesterday evening explained how they plan to achieve all the above, but put more emphasis on putting more money in the economy and alleviating people from poverty.

Speaking at the launch, the NRM First Vice Chairperson, Mr Moses Kigongo, asked the party leaders and cadres to desist from fighting each other and work together towards the same goal. ‘Fighting must stop. We must move as a team and ensure that we campaign as one person. This time, it is going to be very smooth for us because we are going to use our structures at the grassroots. We are very firm on the ground,’ Mr Kigongo said. The Second National Vice Chairperson, Female, and the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among, indicated after the launch that they are slated to move from door to door to hunt for votes for their boss.

From his early days as a journalist to his new role as Group chief executive officer of Fireworks Advertising, Walter Wafula has demonstrated his ability to adapt, innovate, and lead.

In July 2025, the Board of Directors at Fireworks Advertising, under the chairmanship of Manwa Magoma, appointed forty-three-year-old Walter Wafula as Group chief executive officer to drive the agency’s growth.

His appointment was a significant development that resonated throughout Uganda’s marketing and communications industry.

The news was met with excitement and anticipation, given Wafula’s impressive background and expertise in public relations and digital marketing.

‘I attribute my career growth to the foundation laid by my parents, as well as mentors; Caleb Owino, the founder of Fireworks Advertising and Muhereza Kyamutetera, a former colleague who persuaded me to join the agency,’ Wafula said.

Walter Wafula’s story is one of passion, dedication, and excellence. From his early days as a journalist to his new role as Group CEO of Fireworks Advertising, Wafula has demonstrated his ability to adapt, innovate, and lead.

Growing up in Bugiri District, as a child, Wafula was exposed to the harsh realities of poverty and limited opportunities in Eastern Uganda.

But his parents’ business acumen and hard work instilled in him a strong work ethic and inspired him to join the business world.

His entrepreneurial journey began in 2009 with a small startup called Evolution Solutions Limited, which he founded, to empower young people with digital knowledge and skills, enabling them to harness digital opportunities.

Through Evolution, Wafula empowered over 300 young people in Bugiri, Iganga and Wakiso districts, with basic computer digital skills, preparing them for a competitive digital future.

His efforts were recognised when he won the Young Achievers Award in the ICT Category for his innovative startup. As his career demands increased, Wafula chose to focus on excellence in media and communications, closely following in the footsteps of his father, Wafula Oguttu, the founder of Monitor Publications Limited.

Wafula’s experience in journalism exposed him to the world of public relations, sparking an interest in establishing a public relations firm.

In 2010, he established Evolution Media, taking on international assignments from clients like Superbrands East Africa in Kenya and Instinct Wave in the United Kingdom.

Professional journey

Wafula began his professional career at Daily Monitor (NMG Uganda), where he honed his writing skills from 2005 to 2011.

He worked as a writer at the Business and Features desks, showcasing his excellence in storytelling. Concurrently, he contributed to Bizcommunity.com, a South African online publication, and DE Magazine in Germany.

His desire for growth and a better experience in the public relations industry led him to transition from Monitor Publications as a business writer to Fireworks Advertising as a Public Relations (PR) manager.

He then progressed to become a PR manager, head of practice – PR at Fireworks Advertising from 2011 to 2015, leveraging his expertise in PR.

In 2015, Wafula was appointed business unit head, Brainchild Burson-Marsteller, playing a pivotal role in securing global recognition for the agency. He was later appointed general manager, Brainchild Burson, where he developed PR and digital campaigns that drove client success.

His leadership and innovativeness earned him international acclaim, including a win at the CEO Today Africa Awards, while brainchild Burson was named the Best PR and Digital Agency in Uganda at the Africa Excellence Awards by MEA Markets in the UK.

Continuing the winning streak last year, the agency scooped Best PR Campaign and won Gold for Best Use of Influencer Marketing, for the launch of the iconic Uganda Waragi Lemon and Ginger gin, at the UMEA and Silverback Awards, respectively.

Throughout his career, Wafula has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in public relations, digital marketing, and innovation.

Wafula’s story serves as a testament to the power of entrepreneurship, determination, and the pursuit of excellence.

Enabling excellence

Today, as Group CEO of Fireworks Advertising, he is prioritising excellence, collaboration, and innovation to drive the agency’s growth in East Africa.

His vision is to transform the advertising firm into East Africa’s most innovative marketing group.

‘Excellence is not just a goal but a fundamental principle that drives the organisation forward,’ Wafula emphasizes.

‘By striving for excellence, Fireworks delivers captivating work that not only satisfies our clients but also brings pride to our staff.’

Wafula’s leadership style is characterised by his ability to inspire and motivate his team to be exceptional.

‘I believe in empowering my team to excel by challenging them to think and act differently as well as training them to be the best versions of themselves,’ he says.

He also acknowledges his team’s great work that keeps clients satisfied and the business growing.

‘Our people remain our greatest asset. Without them, we wouldn’t be here.’

This approach has enabled the agency to stay ahead of the curve and deliver innovative marketing campaigns that meet the evolving needs of its clients.

As the business landscape continues evolving, Wafula’s commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation will remain essential for Fireworks’ continued success and relevance.

‘If you do the same thing over and over, you get bored and even the people you serve get tired,’ Wafula notes, saying: ‘It is essential to reinvent how we do things so that we can remain relevant as an organisation in the ever-changing digital world.’

Over the last 17 years, Fireworks, has established a reputation of creativity, professionalism, and reliability. This has enabled the agency to attract new clients and build long-term relationships with its clients while driving growth.

Finding balance in a busy life

Wafula believes that dedicating time to personal life and family is essential for his well-being and productivity.

‘I allocate time for my family, friends, and spiritual growth, recognising that a balanced life is key to achieving success in both personal and professional spheres,’ he shares.

As a father and husband, Wafula recognises the importance of being present for his loved ones.

‘Attending important events and milestones in my children’s lives, and supporting my wife in her endeavours, is a must-do,’ he adds.

His approach serves as a reminder that achieving success is not just about professional accomplishments, but also about nurturing personal relationships and taking care of one’s well-being.

Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Put has turned to his overseas stars for inspiration ahead of two crucial away 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Botswana and Algeria this month.

Put insists that returning US-based midfielders Bobosi Byaruhanga and Allan Oyirwoth can inject the spark the team needs to keep their dream alive.

Uganda travel to Francistown to face Botswana on October 9 before a daunting trip to Algiers on October 14 to battle group leaders Algeria.

The Cranes sit second in Group G with 15 points-four behind Algeria and level with Mozambique-with two games left to determine their fate.

Only group winners book automatic tickets to the finals in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, while the four best second-placed teams will advance to the playoff route.

For a nation that has never qualified for the global showpiece and has traditionally underperformed on foreign soil, the stakes could not be higher.

The Belgian gaffer has moved decisively to strengthen the midfield by recalling Byaruhanga (Oakland Roots SC) and Oyirwoth (New England Revolution), two versatile box-to-box midfielders who he believes can breathe new life into the engine room.

Mission possible

‘So far we have done well – not only by the results but also the way we are playing,’ Put said at the squad announcement at Kadiba Stadium.

‘Now we have two games away from home that will be tough, but we hope for a good result. The confidence is there and the players are in shape. For Bobosi, he has shown he can play different positions-defence, defensive midfield, attacking midfield-he is talented and reliable.

“For Oyirwoth, hopefully the stories are true that some European teams want him. That is what we want, but first let him prove himself at the national team.’

The midfield competition will be fierce. Alongside Bobosi and Oyirwoth, Put has options in Enock Ssebagala (Vipers), Ronald Ssekiganda (APR), and Kenneth Semakula (Al Arabi SC), all of whom will be battling for starting slots.

For Put, dominating the midfield battles in Francistown and Algiers will be key to avoiding the defensive collapse and attacking bluntness that marred Uganda’s recent ties against Mozambique and Somalia.

Going forward, Put will hope his forwards arrive in camp with sharpened scoring boots.

Denis Omedi, Allan Okello, Joseph Mpande, Rogers Mato, Reagan Mpande, Jude Ssemugabi, Uche Ikpeazu, and Travis Mutyaba all flattered to deceive last time out, and the coach is demanding a ruthless edge in front of goal if Uganda is to punch above their weight.

At the back, despite summoning eight defenders, Put is likely to stick to his trusted backline of Jordan Obita, Elio Capradossi, Aziizi Kayondo, and Toby Sibbick.

Between the sticks, legendary captain Denis Onyango returns but expectations are muted, with Jamal Salim preferred as first choice ahead of Onyango and Nafian Alionzi.

The Cranes’ local-based players are set to travel on Sunday to join the foreign contingent.

The preparation window is tight, but Put insists no stone will be left unturned. ‘We have to do everything possible. In football, you never know, but we believe second place is within reach,’ he added.

For Uganda, the equation is clear: conquer Botswana, resist Algeria, and hope that fortune smiles kindly in the playoff permutations.

With Byaruhanga and Oyirwoth back to steady the midfield ship, Put is banking on fresh energy to finally break Uganda’s qualification jinx.

The Uganda Cranes Squad

Goalkeepers

Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns), Salim Omar Magoola (Richards Bay), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces)

Defenders

Elio Capradossi (Universitatea Cluj, Romania), Rogers Torach (Vipers SC, Uganda), Toby Sibbick (Burton Albion, England), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC, Uganda), Jordan Obita (Hibernian, Scotland), Aziizi Kayondo (Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Herbert Achayi (KCCA FC, Uganda) and Gavin Kizito (KCCA FC, Uganda)

Midfielders

Ronald Ssekiganda (APR FC, Rwanda), Kenneth Semakula (Al Arabi SC, Kuwait), Allan Oyirwoth (New England Revolution, USA), Enock Ssebagala (Vipers SC, Uganda), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Oakland Roots SC, USA)

Forwards

Denis Omedi (APR FC, Rwanda), Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Joseph Mpande (PVF Cand FC, Vietnam), Rogers Mato (FK Vardar, Macedonia), Reagan Mpande (SC Villa, Uganda), Jude Ssemugabi (Kitara FC, Uganda),Uchechukwu Ikpeazu (St. Johnstone, Scotland), Travis Mutyaba (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia)

A Shs2 million fund allocated for preparations ahead of party presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, campaign visit to Namutumba District has sparked sharp divisions among the local leadership of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), exposing rifts over control of party resources.

The money, sent by the party to facilitate Thursday’s rally at Ivukula Town Council Headquarters in Bukono Constituency, became the focus of a heated meeting on Tuesday as leaders clashed over who should handle it.

Chris Wakalanga, the district NUP chairperson, announced that the leadership had resolved to appoint a new treasurer, accusing the incumbent, Williamson Menya, of defecting to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

‘Menya was seen participating in NRM primaries and declared his support for NRM on social media. We can’t have someone serving two parties in charge of our finances,’ Wakalanga said.

Menya rejected the accusations, insisting he remains loyal to NUP and accusing his colleagues of a smear campaign.

‘They want me out because I stand for transparency. I’ve served as district treasurer for two years and managed party funds responsibly. They fear I won’t let them misuse the money,’ he said, vowing not to vacate his position unless instructed by NUP’s national leadership.

Solomon Kaswabuli, the district NUP spokesperson, confirmed the appointment of an acting treasurer to oversee rally expenditures.

He also accused Menya of straying from the party’s mission.

‘The leadership will replace him officially after the rally, with guidance from NUP headquarters,’ Kaswabuli added.

The dispute comes as Bobi Wine continues his campaign trail across the Busoga region.

He launched his campaign in Jinja City on September 29 and is scheduled to visit Kamuli and Buyende on Tuesday, followed by Luuka and Kaliro districts on Wednesday, before heading to Bugweri and Namutumba districts on Thursday.

Bobi Wine is expected to address supporters at Nangonde Town Council Headquarters and officially open NUP’s district office in Namutumba Town Council.

Through Bobi Wine, NUP seeks to challenge President Museveni’s decades-long rule in the 2026 elections.

Uganda and Somalia will sign three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) at the Second Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), Investment and Business Summit in Kampala from October 7 to 8. President Museveni and his Somalia counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, are expected to grace the summit under the theme: ‘Promoting Uganda-Somalia partnership through trade, investment and tourism, and harnessing opportunities in both countries’. A JPC is a critical agreement between countries aimed at promoting political and economic cooperation initiatives. In 2022, Uganda and Somalia set up a Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), holding its first session in Kampala from August 7 to 8 that year.

Next week’s summit will review the status of implementation of the agreed minutes and MoUs signed in 2022, address any residual non-tariff barriers hindering trade and investment between both countries, and establish an enduring forum for continual discourse on trade and investment, among others. Speaking at the media launch of the summit last week, Prof Sam Tulya Muhika, the head of mission at the Uganda Embassy in Somalia, said the MoUs, ‘include a MoU on immigration management, education and sports, and bilateral labour agreement. Although we have been cooperating with Somalia in extending our generosity to a number of students to study in Uganda, we don’t have an MoU to formally cover this.’

‘Some people say there is no diaspora in Somalia, but there is a huge diaspora of Ugandans in Somalia. They are employed, with a large number of them being security guards, but there are also teachers, lecturers in universities and even doctors. Because it is a different economy and different labour laws from ours, they do get into trouble with their employment, so we need a bilateral labour agreement,’ he added. At the inaugural session three years ago, five MoUs were signed, including trade and investment, establishment of a joint permanent council for trade and investment, joint diplomatic and political consultations, defence cooperation, and trade cooperation.

Prof Muhika noted that the JPC will help implement trade and investment agreements, ease the movement of people-including those seeking residency-and support other areas of cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Somalia’s entry into the East African Community (EAC) has aligned trade policies, paving the way for stronger collaboration and mutual benefits for both Ugandans and Somalis. ‘The summit will formalise this collaboration and provide a ready market for Uganda’s agricultural products, construction materials, services, and highlight its educational institutions.

Similarly, Uganda’s aviation sector will thrive as trade and movement of people increases…,’ the ministry stated in a statement released on Wednesday last week. It added: ‘Generally, the summit is a demonstration of Uganda’s proactive approach to economic and commercial diplomacy and its leadership in championing regional integration for mutual benefit of all EAC and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa member states.’ Somalia’s deputy envoy to Uganda, Amb Abdi Latif Ali, thanked Uganda for its support to Somalia.

BACKGROUND

Uganda and Somalia enjoy cordial bilateral relations, with the former being the first country to deploy its troops in Mogadishu in March 2007 under African Union Mission in Somalia.

As Uganda heads toward the 2026 general election, Busoga is shaping up to be one of the key battlegrounds.

The sub-region, once a reliable support base for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), is now marked by frustration over unfulfilled government promises, deep poverty, poor infrastructure, and sharp political divides. From stalled road projects and idle ferries to soaring teenage pregnancies and leadership wrangles, the issues weighing on Busoga are expected to strongly influence how voters cast their ballots.

Longstanding pledges

Unfulfilled government pledges remain a key issue in next year’s election and could cost the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party support. Voters in the region now want a presidential candidate who will tackle these challenges. In Bugiri District, frustration lingers over President Museveni’s 2016 pledge to build a modern market. The project never took off, leaving traders in poor working conditions and slowing economic growth. In Buyende and neighbouring districts such as Kamuli and Kaliro, the promise to tarmac Bukungu Road has remained unfulfilled for years, even though it has often been used as a campaign message. The Amber Court-Mbulambuti-Bukungu road, covering Jinja, Kamuli and Buyende, is also in a dire state despite being on the President’s agenda since 2001.

Likewise, the Kasolo-Walugogo-Luuka-Kamuli road project has not yet begun. The road connecting Nankoma Sub-county to Bugiri and Namutumba is another example. Its poor condition has crippled the transport of farm produce, hurting local livelihoods. Other key roads such as Iganga-Kamuli and Kamuli-Kaliro, which were also meant to be upgraded, have seen little or no progress. Residents argue that without proper roads, access to markets and economic opportunities will remain out of reach. For many, these unfulfilled pledges have become a symbol of neglect, deepening the feeling that Busoga has been left behind in national development.

Ferries

Though the government constructed two ferries to connect Busoga, Lango, and Teso via Lake Kyoga, the vessels remain idle and non-operational. The delay has deeply disappointed residents who were eager to access better and cheaper transport alternatives. They are calling on the government to honour its commitments and prioritise these critical needs.

Poverty

Poverty remains a central issue shaping elections in Busoga. Busoga sub-region has a population of 4.37 million people as of May 2024, representing 9.51 percent of the national population, according to the 2024 census. According to the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index Report by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos), 6.2 million Ugandans-14.7 percent of the population-live in extreme poverty, with Busoga ranking just above Karamoja and Acholi. In 2019, Busoga’s poverty level was 42.1 percent, higher than most regions except Bukedi (47.5 percent) and Karamoja (over 60 percent). The 2021/2022 report further showed that 14.5 percent of Busoga’s people are ‘totally poor,’ a situation linked to poor planning and rapid population growth.

Yet Busoga is endowed with fertile soils, industries, a strong cultural heritage, and tourist attractions such as the Source of the Nile and surrounding water bodies that are a source of local revenue. Leaders blame Busoga’s poverty on failed projects and weak leadership, citing internal wrangles and intrigue. They point to stalled initiatives such as the takeover of Busoga University, the planned Makerere University branch whose location remains contested, and the failed construction of Naguru Hospital, which was instead built in Kampala. For years, poverty in Busoga was also tied to jiggers, and today it is deeply connected to sugarcane growing, a crop that is no longer profitable.

President Museveni has repeatedly urged Busoga to embrace government anti-poverty programmes and rally behind the NRM party as a path to improved livelihoods. Geographically, the region is strategically located, bounded by Lake Kyoga to the north, the Nile to the west, the Mpologoma River to the east, and Lake Victoria to the south, with an average annual rainfall of 152cm.

Political landscape

In the 2021 presidential elections, National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, won in eight of the 12 districts in Busoga, showing strong support in urban and semi-urban areas. President Museveni and the ruling NRM, however, held onto four rural districts, underscoring the region’s sharp political divide. Busoga has since emerged as an Opposition-leaning but mixed region, with major towns tilting heavily towards NUP. Kyagulanyi’s strongest bases included Jinja City and Bugweri, while other districts such as Iganga, Mayuge, Luuka, Kamuli, and Bugiri also voted in his favour, reflecting growing frustration with the ruling party in urban centres.

In Namayingo, the contest was especially close, with Kyagulanyi edging Museveni by just 0.53 percent-a sign of its potential as a swing district in future races.

Mr Kyagulanyi yesterday commenced his 2025/2026 campaign in Busoga and was met with a hero’s welcome. Today, Busoga is viewed as a battleground region leaning toward the Opposition, but not completely out of reach for the NRM. Voter choices here are driven more by issues and candidate appeal than strict party loyalty, making the sub-region strategically vital for both NUP and NRM as 2026 approaches.

Kadaga factor

Ms Rebecca Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister, remains an influential figure in Busoga. Fondly referred to as Mama Busoga, she is widely respected for her dedication to advancing the sub-region’s interests. She played a central role in resolving the long-standing Kyabazinga throne dispute that had deeply divided the region. Kadaga has also been instrumental in championing key development projects, including the elevation of Jinja to city status, the promotion of the Source of the Nile as a tourism hub, and the establishment of Kiira Motors Corporation. However, the loss of the Speaker of Parliament position in 2021, followed by her defeat in the race for the NRM second national vice chairperson (female) during the party’s primaries in August, left her visibly disgruntled.

‘I want you to remember that just a few years ago, I was publicly humiliated in this country. Publicly humiliated. The way I was removed from the office of the Speaker. I took it in good strides. I continued doing my work. But I’m being followed. How much more can you press an individual?’ she said a day before the August primaries. She also warned the President that her loss could impact the party’s performance in Busoga. ‘Mr chairman, I think it was your duty. And I have been talking to you about this matter for some time. I had informed you that if this matter goes to a contest, it will cause serious problems in my community. You may think …

People here may think you’re fighting an individual, but you’re fighting a bigger community. And that’s not right for the politics of Uganda. It would seem that in this party, loyalty is not important, and integrity is not important, and commitment is not important. That’s the message you’re sending here,’ she said. Given her influence in Busoga, Ms Kadaga’s endorsement of a presidential candidate carries significant weight. Her backing often boosts candidates’ chances, thanks to her strong grassroots networks. On September 19, thousands turned up in Jinja City to welcome her during a thanksgiving ceremony organised by her supporters. Despite her personal setbacks, Kadaga has reaffirmed her loyalty to the NRM and vowed to stand firmly with the party.

Teenage pregnancies

Busoga has the highest incidence of teenage pregnancies in the country, according to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey conducted between 2019 and 2020, with as many as 89,347 cases.

Sugarcane

Sugarcane takes about 18 months to mature, but most farmers in Busoga harvest far less than their counterparts in commercial estates due to limited access to modern farming methods. For example, while farmers in Kakira average 120 tonnes per hectare, ordinary growers in Busoga often get only 60 to 70 tonnes from the same land.

Leadership issues

Observers note that Busoga’s political leadership has long struggled with unity, which has slowed progress. As a result, many believe that private sector players and civil society should take the lead in driving economic and community development, leaving politicians to focus on policy and legislation.

Fishermen

Fishing communities are calling on government to provide legal fishing gear at subsidised prices, saying many cannot afford proper equipment and are forced into illegal practices. Although the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) continues to patrol the lakes, enforcement alone has not solved the problem because illegal gear is still being imported. Fishermen argue that without tighter border controls and affordable, government-backed alternatives, illegal fishing will continue-threatening both conservation efforts and their livelihoods.

Healthcare

Like many districts, Buyende still lacks a general hospital. Residents are forced to travel long distances for treatment or pay heavily for referrals, even for conditions that could be handled locally.

Kagulu Hill

Kagulu Hill has the potential to attract both local and international tourists, but it remains underdeveloped. The site lacks access roads, signage, accommodation, and sanitation facilities. Locals are calling on government to invest in its development to boost tourism and create jobs.

Jinja Pier

Residents and trade stakeholders are also pushing for the redevelopment of Jinja Pier. Restoring this water transport link would ease cargo movement between Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, while protecting roads from heavy trucks. It would also lower transport costs and strengthen regional trade. Across Busoga, the message is clear: residents want government to act. From roads and hospitals to fishing gear and tourism, they are demanding that long-standing promises be fulfilled and delayed development projects finally delivered.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has unveiled its 2025/26-2029/30 Strategic Plan, projecting that the city will require more than Shs 4 trillion for roads, drainage, flyovers, and transport retooling to ease congestion and flooding.

The new plan builds on the outcomes of the 2020/21-2024/25 strategy, which sought to make Kampala more inclusive, livable, and resilient. While the outgoing plan registered progress, including an increase in paved city roads from 31 percent in 2017/18 to 37 percent by 2023/24, it faced setbacks such as underfunding, the Covid-19 pandemic, and delays in implementation.

An internal review showed that only 35.5 percent of targets were fully achieved, while 25 percent were not met at all. Persistent flooding, poor drainage, and road maintenance gaps remained unresolved.

Against this background, the new five-year plan prioritizes infrastructure. Major interventions include the Kampala City Drainage Improvement Project (KCDIP) worth Shs 447.6 billion to upgrade 80 kilometers of channels and tackle 103 flood blackspots, and the Kampala Flyover Project Phase 2 valued at Shs 337.2 billion to decongest key junctions. In addition, Shs 1.568 trillion has been earmarked for the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project Phase 2 to expand road works and introduce Bus Rapid Transit corridors, while Shs 63.3 billion will support retooling and maintenance.

KCCA manages more than 2,100 kilometers of roads, but only about 770 kilometers are paved, and many of these are in fair to poor condition.

To address this, KCCA has signed deals and launched projects such as the Kampala City Roads and Bridges Upgrading Project (KCRBUP) and the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program (GKMA-UDP) to improve connectivity, upgrade infrastructure, and repair potholes.

Speaking at the launch of the strategic plan in Kampala yesterday, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago acknowledged that the city still grapples with serious challenges, including underfunding, traffic congestion, flooding, poor waste management, and overstretched social services.

‘The plan, however, lays out bold interventions to address these bottlenecks and put Kampala on track to becoming a well-planned, inclusive, and resilient capital,’ he said.

Mr Lukwago added that an evaluation of the outgoing plan revealed that less than half of the targets were achieved, with progress hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic, limited financing, and what officials described as ‘ambitious’ target setting.

‘For instance, while the paved road network expanded from 31 percent to 37 percent, many city roads deteriorated due to insufficient maintenance funds, and flooding in major blackspots remained unresolved,’ he said. ‘The plans are overdue, and therefore we have reflected on our journey, including where we fell short, to ensure we do not repeat the same mistakes.’

KCCA Executive Director Hajati Sharifah Buzeki said the new strategy is designed to align priorities with clear instruments that drive progress and hold the institution accountable to city residents.

‘The new plan, themed Revitalizing Kampala into a Well-Functioning City, identifies five priority objectives: improving economic growth, enhancing inclusiveness and wellbeing, strengthening governance, mainstreaming climate resilience, and building institutional capacity, which we think will be our driver to better service delivery,’ she said.

She noted that the plan was developed through evidence-based planning, rigorous reflection, and broad stakeholder engagement. ‘The next five years mark a deliberate shift towards revitalising Kampala into a well-planned city, with a stronger emphasis on resilience, efficiency, and inclusive growth,’ she added.

According to Ms Buzeki, the plan also incorporates lessons from the outgoing strategy, which achieved 35 percent of its targets, while 7.5 percent of interventions lacked data for assessment.

‘The results were below average, and while we acknowledge disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic, leadership transitions, and underfunding, we take full responsibility for setting more ambitious and realistic targets this time,’ she said.

‘This strategic plan has been designed not only as a technical document but as a social contract with the people of Kampala. With transparency, accountability, innovation, and citizen participation, we are determined to turn these commitments into tangible results.’

Key highlights of the new plan include transport and mobility, drainage and flood management, urban planning, education improvements in KCCA schools, reducing maternal mortality from 33 to 28 deaths per 100,000 live births, business and employment, among others.

KCCA’s earlier strategic plans, including the 2014/15-2018/19 strategy aligned with Uganda Vision 2040 and the GKMA Development Framework, focused on transport infrastructure, drainage systems, social services, and institutional strengthening.

The subsequent 2020/21-2024/25 plan, valued at about Shs 7 trillion, prioritized road rehabilitation, non-motorized transport, drainage upgrades, waste management, and recycling. While some achievements were registered, funding shortfalls and the pandemic slowed implementation.

In 2003, a cloud of uncertainty hung over the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ahead of the 2006 presidential election. The 1995 Constitution barred President Museveni from standing again since he had already served two terms.

Yet the party leadership wanted him to continue carrying the mantle. At the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, the NRM hatched a plan to amend the Constitution and initiated a process that would see their chairperson contest again in the 2006 elections. To secure the process, MPs from the ruling NRM party and allies each received Shs5m, presented as facilitation for consultations with their constituents on the constitutional amendments. A number of senior Cabinet ministers who opposed scrapping term limits were removed from government.

The victims included then Ethics minister Maria Matembe, the late Eria Kategaya, who was first Deputy Prime Minister, and Local Government minister Bidandi Ssali. Their dismissal sent a message: the amendment was not up for debate. According to constitutional lawyer and former Constituent Assembly delegate Dan Wandera Ogalo, the framers of the 1995 Constitution were guided by Uganda’s violent past.

Since Independence, there had never been a peaceful transfer of power from one President to another. ‘We had never had a peaceful transfer of power, and whenever you don’t have a peaceful transfer of power, it means violence. People die, people are maimed, property is destroyed, and people become paupers. This weighed very heavily on us to say we must have a provision which ensures that there is a peaceful transfer of power,’ he recalls.

The Assembly, therefore introduced two safeguards: presidential term limits and age limits. Ogalo notes that even the popular consultations pointed in the same direction.

‘The people of Uganda themselves, in their views, had said they wanted a two-term limit for the President,’ he said. Still, by 2003, he began hearing rumours that Mr Museveni’s strong performance and energy justified amending the Constitution to let him continue. ‘The argument was: if the President is still working very well, why should you do away with him when we still need him?’ he remembers. Current Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo was also part of the Constituent Assembly that debated the Justice Benjamin Odoki report. He recalls the justification for term limits.

‘People put the argument that if you serve more than two terms, then you would have lost the capacity, the reason why we found it necessary to include the two presidential term limits in the 1995 Constitution,’ he says.

He adds that the framers argued that leaders should serve and go, leaving behind strong institutions rather than depending on the strength of individuals. ‘However good a person is, we are only human. We should have a system, not a person. It’s good to have strong and devoted leaders, and people who will love their country, but what will sustain any country are systems,’ he says.

The Chief Justice’s regrets Justice Dollo has often expressed regret that the Assembly failed to entrench the two safeguards. ‘How could we, especially the lawyers, be so foolish? How could we be lured into not strengthening provisions for term limits? We left it as any other provision in the constitution. And that’s why it was easy for Parliament to remove term and age limits,’ he says. He insists that such provisions should have required a referendum to amend.

‘That one, I take responsibility and anybody else who was in the Constituent Assembly. We should have entrenched that provision so that if you want to amend, you go back to the people. We failed the people of Uganda as a consequence.’

For Mr Ogalo, the removal of the two-term and age limits had no justification beyond benefiting President Museveni. ‘Clearly, the scrapping of the two-term limit was to benefit President Museveni. Equally, the removal of the age limit was to benefit President Museveni. That is a very dangerous way of approaching constitutional amendments. You amend the constitution for the people, not to benefit one person,’ he says.

Former Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki, who chaired the constitutional review commission, wrote in his book The Search for a National Consensus that one of the central goals of the 1995 Constitution was to guarantee free, regular, and fair elections.

He recalls that consultations showed overwhelming support for a directly elected president limited to two five-year terms.

‘The President, for the first time, is now directly elected by the entire population. His election can be challenged in the Supreme Court. The term of office is five years, limited to two terms of office only, under Article 105,’ Justice Odoki wrote.

For constitutional lawyer Peter Walubiri, the removal of term and age limits destroyed any chance of constitutional democracy in Uganda. ‘It was the final blow; henceforth, only death by whatever means will remove Mr Museveni from State House and thereby start the process of the NRA-NRM disintegration,’ he says.

The final blow Prof Fredrick Ssempebwa, who was part of Odoki’s Commission, agrees. He recalls that the majority of Ugandans demanded term limits because they had never seen a peaceful transfer of power. ‘They wanted to have a peaceful change. They didn’t use that language of term limits, but they said there must be a system where leaders change right from the top,’ he says. Prof Ssempebwa notes that even Museveni supported the idea during consultations. ‘When we consulted, President Museveni repeated what he said at the very beginning, that the problem of Africa was leaders who overstay in power,’ he recalls. Now, with President Museveni in power for nearly 40 years, Prof Ssempebwa says the dangers are visible.

‘There are fears about his health, his grasp of power, and his control of things, so it’s a problem for the country. There is also this power of incumbency, and he is unlikely to be voted out,’ he says.

When Mr Museveni took power in 1986 after a five-year guerrilla war, he declared that Africa’s problem was leaders who overstay. But after the scrapping of term limits in 2005, he accepted his party’s endorsement for another run. On November 17, 2005, the NRM named him flagbearer. His candidacy sparked criticism, especially since he had promised in 2001 that it would be his last run. The arrest of Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye in November 2005, on charges of treason, concealment of treason, and rape, triggered riots across the country. International donors, including Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK withheld aid, citing democratic concerns.

In the 2006 elections, Mr Museveni’s vote share dropped to 59 percent, while Dr Besigye garnered 37 percent. Election observers from the European Union declared that the polls were not free and fair. Dr Besigye challenged the results in the Supreme Court, which found evidence of intimidation, violence, and voter disenfranchisement. Still, in a 4-3 decision, the court upheld Mr Museveni’s victory.

Currently, Mr Museveni is the third-longest consecutively serving non-royal leader in the world after Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea and Paul Biya of Cameroon. When asked why he stayed on despite his earlier statements, he replied that it was the people who kept voting him back.

Ronald Ochieng smiles before bursting into laughter as his mother, Dorcas Auma, gently touches him and looks into his eyes, trying to communicate with him through touch and gestures. The 11-year-old boy was born with multiple disabilities in Alere Village, Abongatin Parish, Amugu Sub-county in Alebtong District.

He cannot talk, hear, or walk. His condition requires round-the-clock care. Each day, Auma wakes Ochieng from his sleep, bathes him, and gets him dressed before preparing food for her other four children. Despite the challenges, her love for her son grows stronger with each passing day.

Ochieng sleeps on a slim mattress covered with a polytene bag inside a grass-thatched hut. He shares the house with his siblings, who sleep on a mat placed about half a metre away from his bed. The children’s hut is located about 30 metres from the parents’ grass-thatched bedroom.

‘He was a healthy child when I delivered him at Amugu Health Centre III in 2013. After two weeks, his head started swelling, and by the time he was four months old, the condition had worsened. He underwent surgery at a hospital in Mbale City, but his right arm and both legs remain paralysed,’ Auma says.

Ochieng cannot sit on his own and is very emotional. It is difficult for Auma to know if he is hungry or unwell.

Isabella Akello, the program manager of Link to Progress, a non-governmental organisation that works with marganalised communities in the Lango Sub-region, says most children with disabilities in the rural areas of northern Uganda are either moderately or severely malnourished.

‘They are not eating well because their caretakers cannot afford the healthy food that can give them a balanced diet. Before a caregiver thinks about giving a child vegetables or fruits, they think about where to get the child’s medication,’ she says.

When Daily Monitor visited a family in Obangakura Village, Amuria Parish, Aloi Sub-county in Alebtong District, we found Solomon,* who is living with disability, lying naked in a leaking grass-thatched house. His mother died ten years ago, and five years later, his father fled the home.

Solomon and his three siblings are under the care of their grandmother, Rose Auma.

‘My son ran away because some people in our culture believe that it is a curse to have a child with disability in a home. They think you committed an offense in the past and God is punishing you for it through the child’s physical condition,’ Auma laments.

Mobility issues

Mobility and the functionality of assistive devices offered to some children with disabilities are a challenge. Some charity organisations distribute assistive devices without conducting assessment exercises.

‘They have to assess the communities and homes where the children live. Before a wheelchair is given out, can it pass through the door of the house or hut? Can the mother push it on the rough road to the garden, church, or to school?’ Akello asks.

A range of barriers limits the ability of children with disabilities to function in daily life, access social services, and engage in their communities. Several caregivers of such children do not have the self-esteem to coexist with their relatives and friends, which makes them very vulnerable.

‘When a woman is carrying a child and hears people call the child angwalu (disabled), it is not the best thing to her ears. So, she will fear associating with people,’ Akello explains.

Several disabled children like Solomon have a passion for learning, but they face a significant obstacle; their disability makes it difficult for them to stand or walk. His grandmother cannot afford a wheelchair that could be used to push him to Awiny Primary School, about three kilometres away.

Patricia Akidi, who lives in Rwaksaza Village, Ibuje Sub-county in Apac District, is the only child who did not attend school in a family of five because of her disability. She cannot read or write.

‘I collect tall grass, which I tie into brooms and sell by the roadside to make a living. However, I need a vocational skill to make more money,’ she says.

Victor Opio, a 17-year-old boy with disability, lives with his grandmother in Apac Town after he was abandoned by his parents.

‘I am supposed to be in Primary Seven now, but I did not sit for the Primary Six end-of-term examinations. I had difficulties accessing school. My grandmother used to carry me to school, but if she was busy, I would skip school,’ he says.

Sarah Aceng, the LC5 female councillor representing persons living with disability (PWD) in Apac District, says several children are being discriminated against, even within their families.

‘Disabled children are poorly fed. Family members go away for a day or days and do not leave them with food or water. They are denied their land rights, while some are abused both physically and emotionally. Those with mobility challenges suffer the most,’ she says.

Brenda Ebong, a mother of an 11-year-old child with disability, says too many responsibilities prevented her from taking her son to school.

‘My son fell ill at the age of four and became disabled. At the time, he was attending school, but he is now unable to go to school because I have to feed him, carry him on my back, and bathe him, besides my other household chores,’ she says.

Several children with physical disability in northern Uganda face similar challenges in accessing education. The lack of assistive devices, inadequate infrastructure, and limited support denies them the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Faith Aol, Alebtong District’s inspector of schools, acknowledges the district is not doing well in terms of inclusive education.

‘The majority of our 76 government-aided primary schools do not have adequate infrastructure and learning aids. There are no ramps and no teachers to cater to children with disabilities. However, there are plans to upgrade the schools,’ she says.

Nancy Akello, a social worker, says children with physical disabilities go through a lot as a result of climate disasters such as floods and prolonged droughts.

‘When the roads are impassable during the rains, a PWD cannot use a wheelchair. The situation is the same during prolonged drought because the rugged terrain damages their wheelchair,’ she says.

Learning challenges

PWDs cannot travel long distances to look for water. Those who try are vulnerable to sexual abuse. Dr Denis Mugimba, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Education and Sports, says the government is incapable of providing adequate infrastructure and learning aids to all the primary schools within the country.

‘We have over 12,000 primary schools. There are 66 special needs schools, and they have some capabilities. However, we are planning to renovate them. However, you cannot make every primary school a special needs capability school. It is too expensive. No country does that,’ he says.

Dianah Leah Seera, the program officer for Inclusive Education at the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), says Uganda has not yet fully achieved inclusive education, adding that the country is mainly in the stages of integration.

‘There is a skills gap in how to support learners with different categories of disabilities. They must have studied Braille to be able to read and support learners and even operate the Braille slate. If it is sign language, the teacher must be able to sign and interpret to support the learners,’ she says.

Seera adds that there should be continuous professional development by both the government and development partners to bridge this particular identified gap.

‘A Braille machine costs about Shs3.6 million, and each child needs one. However, in the special needs schools, the government has done its best to provide, and in the schools where there are units, at least one or two machines have been provided. But in mainstream schools, it is still a challenge,’ she explains.

NUDIPU assumes that in every village, there is a child with a disability, and for inclusion, children with disabilities must go to the nearest schools within their community. The reason they are not accessing the nearest schools within their community is because of these gaps.

Another challenge is the transition from primary to secondary school. The Persons with Disabilities Act 2020 indicates that if a school admits a learner with a disability, it must make the school accessible for that learner within three months.

‘But the schools’ attitudes are not receptive. First of all, it could be out of ignorance or just deliberate. Some may not know that these laws exist. That attitude goes up to the home. Some may never see the inside of a classroom because their parents chose to prioritise their ‘normal’ siblings,’ Seera adds.

According to 2021 UNICEF statistics, children with disabilities are 24 percent less likely to receive early stimulation and responsive care, and have 42 percent fewer chances of achieving foundational reading and numeracy skills. The probability of never attending school is 49 percent higher for them.

But the extent to which children with disabilities can function, participate in society, and lead fulfilling lives depends on the extent to which they are accommodated and included. No matter their story, every child has the right to thrive.

As presidential candidates embark on campaigns ahead of the 2026 General Election, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), a party associated with four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, says it is still weighing options on which candidate to support.

Speaking during the launch of PFF’s National Campaign Agenda in Kampala yesterday, the party’s National Convention Speaker, Ms Proscovia Salaamu Musumba, said discussions with the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) are ongoing, with the hope of rallying behind a single Opposition candidate. ‘We have not presented a presidential candidate because we are short of them. No. We didn’t want to be an obstacle to finding a unifying candidate that we would be supporting in this election. Because this election is a do-or-die for the country,’ Ms Musumba said.

She noted that PFF already has a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ANT, signed in July, committing both parties to support a joint candidate. ‘We informed the country that we do have that memorandum of understanding. But we are also in deep discussions with the National Unity Platform. The discussions may not have gone as expected, but we continue to pursue them,’ she added. ANT’s National Coordinator Alice Alaso said they were still waiting for PFF’s official position on supporting their candidate, Maj Gen (rtd) Mugisha Muntu, who is duly nominated by the Electoral Commission. ‘The engagement is between ANT and PFF. We agreed, in the MoU, to back a joint candidate. So, while PFF did not field a candidate, we have not yet heard their express position about Gen Muntu. We hope they will give us clarity soon,’ Ms Alaso said.

She added that ANT would respect whatever decision PFF makes: ‘Even if they decide to take a different approach, we are comfortable. We prefer to deal with partners who are firm in their choices,’ Ms Alaso The PFF chairperson, Mr Erias Lukwago, acknowledged that the delay in settling on a joint candidate was ‘unfortunate,’ but said the complexity of merging different political platforms had slowed the process. ‘We had hoped that by now we would have a single candidate, but there are many factors beyond our control. Even if we pronounce ourselves on a joint candidate, there remains the challenge of harmonising campaign platforms,’ he said. ‘Each entity has its own symbols, slogans and constituencies. These are issues that need careful management,’ he added. Mr Lukwago assured Ugandans that once consultations are complete, the party will inform the country of its position, whether or not it agrees to a joint front.

Efforts to get a comment from NUP were unsuccessful as party Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya could not be reached by press time. Within PFF, some members have asked the leadership to expedite the process, saying supporters are already demanding clarity. Ms Betty Aol Ocan, the party’s deputy chairperson for northern Uganda, said grassroots members are growing anxious. ‘People ask us which presidential candidate to support, but we have no answers. I told them to wait for this meeting, but the matter is still hanging,’ Ms Ocan said. During the Kampala launch, Ms Musumba also outlined PFF’s broader campaign agenda, stressing that the election is part of a wider struggle for freedom and fair resource distribution.

‘Our biggest problem is the use of our resources. Each of the regions is well endowed, and we want to ensure that local communities benefit from their wealth,’ she said. She pointed to Karamoja as an example, where minerals such as gold and marble are extracted but processed under brand names like Simba Cement or Tororo Cement. ‘There is no Karamoja Cement, yet those resources come from Karamoja. In our government, that region will have an opportunity to benefit directly from its endowments,’ Ms Musumba said.

BACKGROUND

Past attempts at fronting a joint Opposition candidate have repeatedly collapsed. In 2011, the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) disintegrated before the elections, leaving each party to field its own candidate. Five years later, in 2016, the Democratic Alliance (TDA) failed to agree on a single flagbearer, despite months of negotiations. In 2021, efforts to unite Dr Kizza Besigye and Mr Robert Kyagulanyi also stalled, forcing both leaders to pursue separate campaigns.