The Democratic Front (DF) Party President, Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba, has warned that Uganda’s long-awaited transition of power will remain out of reach unless the opposition rethinks its strategy, restores unity, and confronts the realities of operating in a shrinking democratic space.
Speaking during the official launch of Nakifuma County MP Fred Ssimbwa Kaggwa’s re-election campaign in Mukono District, Mpuuga delivered a candid assessment of the obstacles facing Uganda’s opposition forces.
“Whoever believes they can change power in this country while we are still being beaten with sticks for gathering in lawful assemblies is bewitched,” Mpuuga said, drawing applause and murmurs from a crowd of DF loyalists, NUP supporters, independents, and local leaders.
He argued that the opposition has drifted into internal fights, disorganisation, and emotional politicking, while the ruling government remains firmly in control. Having campaigned across Eastern and Northern Uganda, Mpuuga said he observed that only a handful of opposition actors are truly committed to a long-term struggle.
“I saw very few serious people focused on the cause of changing power in this country,” he said, noting that he even campaigned for candidates from other parties, including a National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer in Serere.
Mpuuga emphasized that petty political wars are the opposition’s biggest undoing. “Whether you belong to DP, NUP, or DF, stop the silly arguments. Avoid pity fights. Take back steps and listen to each other like hunters chasing an animal,” he urged.
He lamented how once-powerful opposition institutions, such as the Democratic Party, collapsed due to internal dysfunction, and noted that successor parties also developed a “mental illness.”
Mpuuga expressed concern about youth engagement, warning that enthusiasm risks being wasted without guidance. “Once your energetic years lack common sense, you can end up in a forest blindfolded,” he said, urging elders to mentor young people. He stressed that meaningful youth involvement, not emotional outbursts or social media activism, is key to Uganda’s political future.
The DF president insisted that his party is not seeking to scatter the opposition but to fill a leadership vacuum. “Our focus is not to scatter other political parties but to create different leadership if we are to change power. Colours don’t change anything. Umbrellas and buses don’t speak — personalities do,” he said.
DF spokesperson Moses Kasibante echoed the message on prioritizing competence over political symbols. “People make mistakes and concentrate on issues that do not matter. Symbols don’t deliberate in parliament,” he said.
MP Fred Ssimbwa highlighted his achievements, including donations to health facilities, road maintenance lobbying, scholarships, and support to sub-counties with fuel. He pledged a second ambulance and five million coffee seedlings in the next term, noting that Nakifuma, with five sub-counties and three town councils, still lacks a Health Centre IV.
Dr. Abed Bwanika criticized Buganda voters for choosing candidates “out of excitement,” saying DF aims to restore value-based leadership. Local leaders, including NUP’s LC3 chairperson flag bearer for Kimenyedde, Allan Kisooli, expressed that competence should outweigh party loyalty. “Tested is tested, and so we trust. We cannot risk voting for people who are not bona fide residents, whose origin we don’t know,” he said.
The Nakifuma race has attracted multiple contenders, including Sulaiman Kiwanuka (NUP), Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko (NRM), Zulia Basiima “Nakapanka” (PFF), Lamech Kawombe (DP), and Independents Joshua Wasswa Mugirya, Abubakar Kayondo, and Mugambe Kifomusana.
***URN***