As Uganda gets ready for the 2026 general elections, the National Unity Platform (NUP) has made it clear that they plan to take part. David Lewis Rubongoya, the party's Secretary General, said that not participating would only give an easy win to President Yoweri Museveni and his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Rubongoya talked about how tough the past year has been for NUP. He mentioned the loss of Jolly Mugisha, the party’s deputy president for Western Uganda, and highlighted the ongoing arrests and kidnappings of party members. He also pointed out that the government has stepped up its attacks against NUP, especially after a corruption scandal involving former deputy president Mathias Mpuuga. Despite these problems, Rubongoya found hope in the strong support they received during their tours around the country, which showed a real desire for change among Ugandans.

Rubongoya praised Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi for his efforts to fight corruption and bring unity to the opposition. He stated that the main job of the leader of the opposition is to hold the government accountable. He commended Ssenyonyi and his team for their work in exposing corruption and pushing for honesty in government. He noted that having young leaders in NUP is inspiring, as both he and Ssenyonyi are under 40 years old. This shows that young people can lead effectively and make real changes.

Rubongoya also responsed to critics who say taking part in an election with a known outcome seems pointless. He emphasized that if the opposition were to boycott the elections, Museveni would likely field candidates like Norbert Mao or Katumba Oyee, declaring himself the winner without genuine competition. He pointed out that 'dictators' often manipulate electoral processes in this way. Rubongoya argued that participating in the elections is crucial for the opposition to unite and send a strong message to the people of Uganda that they deserve better governance. He believes that every opportunity to engage in the electoral process is vital for challenging the current regime and advocating for change.

In conclusion, Rubongoya reiterated NUP's strategy of active participation in Uganda's political scene as a way to challenge Museveni and encourage change.

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https://observer.ug/news/rubongoya-nup-cant-boycot-polls/