Masaka City, Uganda – The political atmosphere in Masaka City was electrified on Wednesday as Mathias Mpuuga was officially welcomed as the newly elected president of the Democratic Front (DF), a fast-rising political movement that has pledged to challenge the status quo ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
Hundreds of overjoyed supporters gathered at Laston Gardens to receive Mpuuga, who arrived flanked by senior party officials, youth mobilizers, and regional coordinators. The crowd chanted slogans of Real Change, Now! echoing the party’s official rallying call.
“This is not just a party. It is a movement of purpose. A call for dignity, democracy, and discipline in public leadership,” Mpuuga declared to roaring applause.
The colorful welcome marked the eve of the official launch of the Democratic Front (DF), slated for Thursday, June 27, 2025, in Masaka. The launch will include the unveiling of DF’s leadership structure, official party symbols, and the formal rollout of its policy agenda.
Mpuuga, a seasoned politician and former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, has positioned DF as a fresh alternative to what he called “political fatigue” within both the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the older opposition parties.
“We are not here to make noise. We are here to rescue Uganda from corruption, nepotism, and fear,” Mpuuga added, vowing to build DF into a force beyond just elections.
The Masaka-born legislator’s shift from the National Unity Platform (NUP), where he previously served as Deputy President for Central Region, has sparked both controversy and curiosity. His political rebirth under DF follows months of tension with his former party, especially over disagreements on strategy and leadership accountability.
Political analysts say his rebranding under DF could reshape opposition politics, especially in Buganda, where Mpuuga enjoys a strong support base.
At Laston Gardens, supporters waved DF flags, wore branded red-and-gold T-shirts, and danced to local tunes as they awaited Mpuuga’s arrival. Street vendors, boda boda riders, and local youth groups joined the celebrations in a scene that resembled a national campaign launch.
According to party insiders, DF’s next step is a nationwide mobilization drive, where regional coordinators will be dispatched to register members, identify potential candidates for the 2026 elections, and build alliances with like-minded movements.
The delegates’ conference held on June 26, 2025, elected a full executive committee, and sources indicate that the party will soon unveil its shadow cabinet and policy blueprints on governance, youth employment, and education reform.
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