In a critiquing tone immediately after his confirmation by the delegates of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), as the party presidential flag bearer for the 20226, presidential race on Monday, at Tal Cottages Hotel Kabuusu, Kampala, Gen. Mugisha Muntu criticized the current political environment, accusing the ruling government of relying on President Yoweri Museveni inflicted Public fear and financial incentives to retain power.
Tough Muntu noted that, the political atmosphere in the country is getting worse and believes that only unite can restore the political sanity, hope and development.
“Where Gen. Museveni knows that fear and money works,he has kept using them as tools. But if the society stands up and says, NO, enough is enough,’ change can be attained and this can only happen if leaders take a stand.” Muntu added.
Muntu also, further emphasized that national development should not be measured by infrastructure alone but must be rooted in restoring citizens’ dignity.
“Development is not about buildings, or water supply, much as they’re necessary, dignity must be a foundation. A people with dignity and self-belief can achieve more” He added, before warning on how the situation is getting worse each day.
“The situation is getting worse and worse,” he warned.
Muntu appreciated the ANT’s delegates for the trust in him and commended them for being resilient and believing in the party even when it has continuously been referred to as a “week” party.
However, he showed his dismay over the previously held NRM primaries, which he described as having been characterized by violence and all forms of election irregularities.
He further, condemned President Museveni’s concluded Parish Development MODEL (pdm) tours, which he described as avenues for wasting the taxpayers’ money rather than serving the dignity of the people of Uganda.
The event was graced by personalities from different institutions and political parties, including Hon. Semujju Ibrahim Nganda, Secretary general of the People’s Front for Fredom, Erias Lukwago, the Lord Mayor of Kampala City who also doubles as the national leader of the PFF which signed a memorandum of understanding with the ANT, who decried president Museveni’s leadership and politics which he described to be run on a monetization basis.
He (Lukwago), however, commended the MoU with ANT, which many Ugandans believe, will see Muntu becoming the joint presidential candidate in the 2026 general elections, saying, “we mean business.”
Gen. Muntu welcoming Hajji Ssalongo Erias Lukwago.
Other notable individuals were Andrew Karamagi, a senior lawyer and activist who showed dismay over bad chaotic leadership and the level of underdevelopment in the country.
Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda in attendance.
Wasswa Lule, former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and deputy IGG, commended the ANT for embarking on building from the grassroots and standing with the people. However, Lule expressed dissatisfaction over how the government has handled issues of war reparations and land disputes in the country. He was dismayed by the poor levels of infrastructure, specifically roads in Uganda.
ANT, delegates at Tal Cottages, Kabuuse, Kampala on July 28, 2025.
David Mugarra, the program’s manager at the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), commended their relationship with ANT and the level of inclusivity in the parry. He decried the continued electoral violence, which he said stems from the use of force and intimidation, patronage, youth marginalization in politics, and inherited political culture in most African cultures, Uganda inclusive. He, however, encouraged the party leadership to embark on promoting peace and togetherness among Ugandans.
A section of ANT delegates at Tal Cottages, Kabuuse on Monday July 28, 2025.
Having been confirmed, Mugisha Muntu, a bush war and former army commander will represent the PFF and ANT in the coming general elections in which he will face competition from NRM’S Yoweri Museveni, incumbent, and NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu who have already showed interest in representing their respective parties in the coming general elections.
The delegates’ unanimous agreement to have Muntu as the party’s flag bearer, followed his last week Friday nomination
by the party’s electoral commission chairman Dan Mugarura, marks ANT as the 3rd official political party with unopposed presidential candidates in the forthcoming general elections, National Unity Platform (NUP) having declared Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) fronting H.E Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
By: Bolibo Moses Tumuhairwe,
Digitalk Television Stringer.