Maj Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu, presidential candidate for the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), has assured President Museveni of maximum security and full retirement benefits if he agrees to a peaceful handover of power ahead of the January 15, 2026, elections.
Speaking during a campaign tour on Thursday in Kisoro, a district bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Muntu said Museveni fears prosecution for alleged crimes if he relinquishes power.
‘The reason President Museveni is unwilling to relinquish power is his fear of revenge and prosecution for alleged crimes,’ Muntu told supporters.
He promised that an ANT-led government would protect Museveni and guarantee all privileges due to a former head of state.
Muntu criticised the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) for perpetuating poverty in Kisoro despite strong voter support, citing poor healthcare, failing schools, deteriorating roads, and limited electricity.
He highlighted Uganda’s natural resources, including oil, gold, cobalt, and uranium, and blamed annual corruption losses of over Shs10 trillion for citizens’ suffering.
Describing himself as a strategic leader focused on long-term institution-building rather than populist theatrics, Muntu urged voters to choose change in 2026.
Residents at the rallies cited high taxes, poor school performance, hospital extortion, cross-border challenges, and harassment of small traders by local authorities.
In Bunagana Town Council, near the DR Congo border, Muntu called for regional and international action to resolve prolonged conflicts in eastern DRC, including recent escalations by the M23 rebel group.
He appealed to the East African Community (EAC) and neighbouring countries to act collectively, noting that the DRC borders five EAC member states whose trade is disrupted by instability.
Muntu also pledged to revive Kisoro’s neglected tourism sector, particularly gorilla tracking, which attracts numerous visitors annually.
‘I urge immediate improvement in the tourism sector, which has been ignored despite Kisoro hosting many tourists,’ he said.
Campaigning alongside ANT’s Bufumbira South parliamentary candidate Adam Munyambabazi, Muntu promised a government based on integrity, accountability, and competence, free from bribery and nepotism.
He urged voters to reject vote-buying and embrace transparent leadership.
The campaign tour began in Kyanika Town Council, proceeded to Nyarusiza Sub-county, and concluded in Bunagana Town Council. Poor roads prevented a rally in Kisoro Municipality, according to district ANT administrator Laban Niyongabo.
Muntu, a former military chief, is among seven opposition candidates challenging Museveni’s bid to extend his rule beyond 40 years in the 2026 election, a race that also includes former presidential challenger Bobi Wine.