Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, President of Democratic Alliance (DA) has spoken out against both government security actions and disunity within the opposition questioning the role of state forces and the Electoral Commission (EC) in the recent chaos of Kawempe North by-elections.
In his interview on NBS Morning Breeze with Simon Kaggwa, Mpuuga criticized President Museveni’s government stating that if the violence in Kawempe North wasn’t orchestrated then military officers should be facing justice for their involvement.
Mpuuga, leader of Democratic Alliance also called out Uganda’s leading opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP) for failing to unite with other forces ahead of the by-election accusing them of political arrogance and losing a key opportunity to show leadership.
Kawempe North, a historical opposition stronghold has become a battlefield of political tension as state security agencies face accusations of intimidation and voter suppression.
Opposition leaders argue that the presence of military forces including the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT) instead of regular police raises serious concerns over election integrity.
Mpuuga challenged the government to explain why the EC appeared to have surrendered its authority to security forces.
“When did the Electoral Commission lose its power? Why did they invite JATT and not the Uganda Police?” he asked.
Beyond government criticisms, Mpuuga also directed harsh words at the opposition accusing them of failing to build a coalition.
He revealed that multiple parties had never been approached about the possibility of fielding a sole opposition candidate stating;
“No one reached out to them on the idea of a sole candidate.”
He emphasized that no opposition party can win alone warning against the belief that individual parties are strong enough to take on the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) single-handedly.
“It is arrogance for any opposition party to think they can act alone. No one has summoned enough strength to act alone,” he declared.
