Mubarak Munyagwa has said his newly formed political outfit, the Common Man’s Party (CMP), will not join any coalitions or alliances with other opposition forces, insisting its primary goal is to take state power.
Speaking in a recent interview, Munyagwa distanced himself from his former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) colleagues under Dr Kizza Besigye, saying their political direction no longer aligns with his.
“I don’t think I need the likes of Salam Musumba and other people I was with while in FDC under Besigye,” Munyagwa said.
“This is a Common Man’s Party drive, and I don’t think they will do anything for the people.”
He also criticised the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), a pressure group led by Besigye, for failing to take a stand in the current election.
“The PFF has not supported any person in this election. I was with Besigye and he supported me. If they respect him, why didn’t they also support what he supports?” Munyagwa asked.
He argued that while opposition parties often talk about change and democracy, many are instead preoccupied with securing positions and maintaining political relevance.
“All political parties have different agendas — some want to be Leaders of Opposition, and others want to join IPOD. The CMP that I lead only wants state power,” he said.
Munyagwa, who has been critical of what he terms “elitism” in mainstream political parties, continues to portray the Common Man’s Party as a populist, people-centered movement driven by the needs of ordinary citizens.
His statements highlight growing ideological and strategic divisions within Uganda’s opposition, as new political formations seek to define themselves outside traditional party structures.
Though still a young party, the CMP’s grassroots tone and Munyagwa’s fiery rhetoric could make it a factor in the evolving political landscape ahead of future elections.
