Kampala, Uganda – In a strategic move ahead of the 2026 general elections, Democratic Front (DF) leader Mathias Mpuuga announced his party’s endorsement of incumbent Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who is seeking a fourth term under the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) banner.
The declaration, made on January 19, highlights early alliance-building among opposition factions amid a fragmented political landscape.
Mpuuga, a former Leader of Opposition in Parliament, founded DF in 2024 following a controversial exit from the National Unity Platform (NUP) over a 500 million UGX “service award” scandal. Despite the backlash, DF has positioned itself as a force for accountability, fielding over 90 parliamentary candidates nationwide. Lukwago, in office since 2011, launched PFF in 2025 to champion constitutionalism and urban reforms, with priorities including infrastructure upgrades, waste management, and anti-corruption measures.
The DF endorsement comes as Kampala’s mayoral race intensifies, with eight contenders vying for the seat, including Democratic Party’s Beatrice Mao and potential NRM-backed Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga.
Analysts view the DF-PFF alliance as an attempt to consolidate opposition votes in Buganda, where both parties draw support, potentially challenging NUP’s urban dominance.
However, public reaction has been mixed, with online skepticism dominating. Social media users questioned DF’s influence in Kampala, one tweeting, “What backing… yet DF has no tangible following?” Others mocked the move as a liability, citing Mpuuga’s past controversies potentially eroding Lukwago’s anti-corruption image.
Supporters, though less vocal, see it as a step toward unified opposition against the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
This development underscores the fluid dynamics in Uganda’s opposition, where breakaway parties like DF, PFF, and FDC are filling hundreds of slots but risk further division. As campaigns heat up, the alliance could either bolster Lukwago’s reelection bid this Thursday.
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