The Common Man’s Party (CMP) presidential candidate, Mubarak Munyagwa, has urged voters in Jinja City to support opposition candidates at all levels as part of a strategy to deny President Museveni the 50 percent plus one threshold required to retain the presidency in next year’s elections.
Speaking to a large crowd at Bugembe Market along the Jinja–Iganga highway on Thursday evening, Munyagwa said a united opposition vote could lead to a presidential re-run, which he described as the “only realistic path to ending 40 years of NRM rule.”
Munyagwa arrived at the market at around 5pm, accompanied by Fred Ssegawa, the CMP’s Jinja North parliamentary flag-bearer.
They were welcomed by cheering vendors waving party symbols.
“I always hear people say that the opposition has fronted many candidates, which will give President Museveni the chance to triumph. That is not true. We need to circumvent him and deny the 50 percent in elections to force a re-run,” Munyagwa said.
He added, “This election is not about parties; it is about ending 40 years of NRM rule and giving Ugandans a fresh start.”
The candidate also reiterated his position on economic reform, claiming that foreign nationals have taken over key sectors of Uganda’s economy. “Foreigners have taken control of our businesses and resources. My government will correct this imbalance and ensure Ugandans regain their place in their own economy,” he said.
Munyagwa further pledged to release all political prisoners, including long-time opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, whose detention he described as “the suppression of democratic freedoms.”
“Since the arrest of Dr Besigye last year, the state has failed to table conclusive evidence against him. We no longer need to plead with President Museveni to release him. Vote for the opposition, and we will release Dr Besigye as soon as January 15, 2026,” he said.
Munyagwa’s campaign continues across eastern Uganda, with rallies scheduled in Bugiri and Bugweri on Friday as he intensifies efforts to mobilize voters ahead of the 2026 elections.
