KAMPALA – In a significant political realignment, the Democratic Front (DF) has announced it will not field its own candidate in the 2026 presidential election and will instead throw its support behind Mubarak Munyagwa of the Common Man’s Party.
The decision was announced following what the party described as “thorough consultations and discussions” among its leadership. The move signals a strategic coalition-building effort ahead of the polls.
In a public statement, the party, under the leadership of its prominent figure, Mathias Mpuuga, explicitly urged its members and supporters to unite behind Munyagwa. The announcement also contained a direct call to action against another key opposition figure, Bobi Wine.
“We strongly encourage all our members and supporters to unite behind this decision and to support Mubarak Munyagwa in the upcoming election,” the DF’s announcement read. It added a pointed instruction: “We also urge our members not to cast their votes for Bobi Wine.”
This clear rejection of Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi and who leads the National Unity Platform (NUP), highlights the ongoing fragmentation and negotiation within Uganda’s opposition bloc. Mpuuga, a former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, is a major political figure, and his party’s alignment could influence voter sentiment.
The DF framed the decision as a step towards “a stronger, more united future for our nation.” By consolidating support behind Munyagwa, a former mayor of Kawempe Division known for his fiery rhetoric, the DF aims to present a formidable challenge to the incumbent.
The campaign for the 2026 elections is expected to be highly contested, and this early endorsement sets the stage for further alliances and rivalries within the opposition.
