With presidential nominations completed and rallies underway, the Opposition joint candidate 2026 push has intensified. The Conservative Party (CP) launched the initiative to unite opposition forces for the seventh attempt to end President Museveni’s 40-year rule.
CP presidential candidate Elton Joseph Mabirizi said he wrote to all opposition parties, urging them to form a coalition. He argued that the political field is uneven ahead of the January 2026 elections.
His September 29 letter targeted key opposition leaders, including Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Mubarak Munyagwa of the Common Man’s Party, and Maj Gen (rtd) Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).
Some parties believe a united opposition could challenge President Museveni effectively. However, several claimed they had not yet seen Mabirizi’s letter. “I have already written to all of them. They received it to explore how we can work together because the ground is not levelled,” Mabirizi told this publication. “We propose a joint candidate to achieve the change we all want.”
Earlier this year, talks between the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and NUP collapsed due to conflicting interests. After media coverage, PFF signed a memorandum of understanding with ANT to field a single candidate. Despite past setbacks, Mabirizi is pushing for a roundtable discussion on October 5 at the Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala.
During the heated 2021 campaign, opposition parties accused the government of harassing, arresting, and intimidating their supporters. They held a joint meeting at Hotel Africana calling for a coalition. The public anticipated it eagerly, but disagreements on strategy prevented a coalition from forming.
In 2016, the opposition also attempted to unite under The Democratic Alliance (TDA) to field a joint candidate. That effort failed.
Lewis Rubongoya, NUP secretary general, confirmed that his party is in talks with multiple opposition actors but did not disclose details. “I am not in a position to comment specifically, but we are welcoming anyone who wants a coalition,” he said.
Alice Alaso, ANT national coordinator, said her party remains open to dialogue if coalition goals are clear. Sharif Ssentongo, secretary general of the National Peasants Party (NPP), said any coalition must include all parties. Moses Bugirwa, secretary general of the Common Man’s Party, said a coalition is possible even after candidates have been nominated and are campaigning.
Opposition parties have attempted several times to unite against Museveni. PFF, associated with Dr Kizza Besigye, is currently negotiating with ANT and NUP to field a single presidential candidate. Proscovia Salaamu Musumba, PFF national convention speaker, confirmed that discussions are ongoing.
The push for a Opposition joint candidate 2026 underscores the determination of Uganda’s opposition to challenge the incumbent. While past attempts failed, party leaders continue to explore collaboration as the January elections approach.