Former East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament and Vice President of the Democratic Party (DP), Fred Mukasa Mbidde, has called for the institutionalisation of political dialogue in Uganda, warning that the country risks being caught between competing forces if structured engagement mechanisms are not established.
Speaking on NBS Frontline on Thursday, Mbidde likened Uganda’s political landscape to the Greek myth of Scylla and Charybdis — two dangers on either side of a narrow strait — saying the country risks being “eaten by the sea or the man-eating animal” if leaders fail to pursue constructive dialogue.
Mbidde argued that sustained and structured engagement among political actors is necessary to prevent the country from oscillating between crises, particularly in the aftermath of elections. He urged political leaders to initiate dialogue within their own parties before extending it to the broader political spectrum.
“What he needs to do is to do the needful. He needs to restart the dialogue beginning with his own political party. You start with dialogue at home before you export it,” Mbidde said.
He also offered pointed observations about President Museveni, describing him as patient and strategic.
In a metaphorical remark, Mbidde said the President would “appoint a committee on snakes” rather than act hastily.
He added that Uganda is not under an outright dictatorship but operates within what he termed a system “technically choreographed to look like a democracy while maintaining elements of a dictatorship,” which he described as a “dicta-blunder.”
Mbidde’s comments come in the wake of a meeting held on February 5, 2026, at State House, Nakasero, between President Museveni and a delegation of opposition legislators led by Mawokota South MP and Deputy President of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) for the Central Region, Yusuf Nsibambi.
The talks, aimed at promoting national stability, peace and reconciliation following a tense post-election period, have drawn mixed reactions within opposition ranks.
Among those who attended were Okot Bitek (Kioga County, FDC), Moses Kabusu (Kyamuswa County, PFF), Roland Ndyomugyenyi (Rukiga County), Fred Kayondo (Mukono South, DP), Richard Lumu (Mityana South, DP), and former Kawempe North MP Latif Ssebagala Ssengendo.
In an interview with NBS Television on February 6, Nsibambi said the discussions focused on easing political tensions, fostering unity, and supporting development and stability.
He noted that the delegation raised concerns over the continued detention of individuals linked to political activities, appealing for presidential pardons and calling for an independent investigation into the detention of Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, Buganda Deputy President of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and MP for Butambala County.
While some opposition figures have criticised Nsibambi’s unilateral engagement with the President, accusing him of undermining collective strategy, he defended his actions as being in the national interest.
“No one sent me. I am an elected MP, and I will engage with whoever I believe is necessary for the good of my constituents and the country,” Nsibambi said.