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 under 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 one of his most candid assessments yet 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 made up of DF loyalists, NUP supporters, independents, and local leaders.
His stark comment formed the centrepiece of a wider argument that Uganda’s opposition has drifted into internal fights, disorganisation, and emotional politicking while the ruling government remains firmly in control.
Mpuuga, who has spent weeks traversing Eastern and Northern Uganda, said his encounters revealed a worrying pattern, only a handful of opposition actors appear 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.
To Mpuuga, the opposition’s biggest undoing is petty political wars. “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 the successor party also developed a mental illness.
Mpuuga expressed deep concern about the political direction of the youths, saying their enthusiasm risks being wasted if not guided.
“Once your energetic years lack common sense, you can end up in a forest blindfolded,” he said, calling for elders to “sit young people under the trees and re-guide them.”
He argued that the future of Uganda’s political transition lies in meaningful youth engagement, not emotional outbursts or simply social-media activism.
Mpuuga insisted that the Democratic Front is not attempting to scatter the opposition further, but rather 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 emphasized.
DF spokesperson Moses Kasibante echoed similar message on colours, criticizing voters who choose political symbols over competence.
“People make mistakes and concentrate on issues that do not matter. Symbols don’t deliberate in parliament,” he said.
Ssimbwa emphasized achievements such as donations to health facilities, road maintenance lobbying, scholarships, and supporting sub-counties with fuel.
He also 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’s tendency to vote “out of excitement,” saying DF wants to restore value-based leadership.
Local leaders, including NUP’s LC3 chairperson flag bearer for Kimenyedde, Allan Kisooli but supporting Ssimbwa, said competence should outweigh party loyalty.
“Tested is tested, and so we trust. We cannot risk voting for people who are not bonafide 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), Independents: Joshua Wasswa Mugirya, Abubakar Kayondo, Mugambe Kifomusana
