2026 Elections: Mpuuga ready for NUP showdown

Democratic Alliance leader Mathias Mpuuga addresses the media at their offices in Namirembe, Kampala, in December 2024. PHOTO | ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
- Mr Mpuuga criticized the NUP leadership for lacking a clear strategy to unseat President Museveni and declared that DA would field candidates at all levels, including for the presidency.
Nyendo-Mukungwe MP, Mr Mathias Mpuuga, has expressed confidence about facing National Unity Platform (NUP) candidates at all levels in the 2026 General Elections, despite his fallout with the party.
Last month, Mr Mpuuga announced the formation of the Democratic Alliance (DA), a group he says is dedicated to bringing "real political change" after accusing NUP of "wasting the past four years on internal wrangles instead of focusing on democratic governance."
Mr Mpuuga criticized the NUP leadership for lacking a clear strategy to unseat President Museveni and declared that DA would field candidates at all levels, including for the presidency.
With the elections less than a year away, Mr Mpuuga said he is prepared for a fierce contest.
“About the possibility of a contest in Nyendo-Mukungwe, just know that I have had no less than five opponents in the three election cycles I’ve participated in. So, nothing new,” he stated.
NUP Secretary General, Mr David Lewis Rubongoya, however, maintains that the party’s focus is on removing President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for nearly 40 years.
“Our problem is Gen. Museveni and his regime, which has caused suffering to Ugandans. Others are pawns on his chessboard. We are focusing on the enemy by mobilizing Ugandans to rise to the occasion,” Mr Rubongoya told Monitor on January 19.
Mr Mpuuga’s stance comes after NUP replaced him as Deputy President for Buganda region with Butambala County MP, Mr Muwanga Kivumbi. The decision followed controversy over a Shs500 million service award he received from the Parliamentary Commission while serving as Leader of Opposition (LoP).
The allocation also saw NRM backbench commissioners Mr Solomon Silwany, Ms Esther Afoyochan, and Ms Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira each receive Shs400 million. Details of these payments only emerged two years later when minutes of the meeting were leaked, prompting NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) to describe the allocations as "unethical" and a "violation of laws and principles."
Burial Controversy
The rivalry between Mr Mpuuga and NUP was further highlighted during the burial of Kawempe North MP, Muhammad Ssegirinya, who passed away on January 9. While NUP supporters held a vigil at Butale Cell in Nyendo-Mukungwe, Mr Mpuuga presided over a separate ceremony at Kadugala Playground nearby.
Addressing mourners, Mr Mpuuga recounted how he intervened to secure medical care for Mr Ssegirinya and Makindye West MP, Mr Allan Ssewanyana, while they were in detention.
“When you visit a prisoner or convict, you may not be able to see them unless you are a lawyer or doctor. I went as a leader and asked to meet both legislators. Ssegirinya told me he was afraid of dying in custody,” Mr Mpuuga said.
He added that prison authorities informed him that Ssegirinya was unable to eat or take medication on an empty stomach. “I then spoke to authorities to have him evacuated for treatment abroad,” he explained.
Criticism and Defense
Despite his claims, some NUP supporters accused Mr Mpuuga of using the incident for political gain. Instead of elaborating on his involvement, Mr Mpuuga accused Monitor and NTV Uganda of pushing a narrative against him.
“I don’t need credit from anyone for helping a comrade get treatment. Others probably need credit and validation,” he said.
He further urged critics to interview Ssewanyana and the lawyers who represented the detained MPs. “Rest your burden about me by asking those who were directly involved,” he said.