Alice Alaso, the National Coordinator for the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), has revealed that she has consistently rebuffed approaches from the ruling National Resistance Movement, insisting that joining the government would serve "purely personal survival" rather than public interest.
Speaking during a detailed interview on NBS Morning Breeze, Alaso painted a picture of a leadership increasingly "oblivious" to ordinary citizens while prioritizing its own interests.
Addressing ongoing speculation about high-profile defections, Alaso confirmed that the NRM has "tried to persuade me... many times."
Yet she maintained that the ruling party’s behavior remains fundamentally at odds with her vision for Uganda. She cautioned that as the political landscape evolves, the NRM’s actions reflect mounting desperation, and that conduct is likely to worsen as they cling to power.
She urged Ugandans not to succumb to hopelessness, emphasizing that "the worst you can do is be hopeless in a very bad situation."
On the state of the opposition, Alaso offered a candid evaluation, noting that prior discussions in the lead-up to elections were largely superficial and focused only on the polls, leaving the opposition fragmented afterward.
"Most of the discussions were about the election. We didn't properly engage on what would be done after the election," she said, describing the anti-government forces as "scattered."
To address this, Alaso said ANT intends to engage National Unity Platform in dialogue to discuss institutional survival and a unified opposition strategy.
Alaso also highlighted the common ground among opposition leaders, stating that the core issues championed by Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi are essentially the same.
She stressed that the success of the movement relies on institutional strength rather than individual personalities, asserting that "the systems within the NUP can survive even in the absence of Kyagulanyi."
She described ANT’s single seat in the upcoming Parliament as a "massive" strategic victory, providing a foothold within the broader opposition caucus.
Despite the heightened political pressure, Alaso firmly rejected any notion of armed conflict or civil unrest as a strategy.
"Certainly violence is out of question. It's something we haven't applied as an alternative strategy and we won't apply it," she said.
Instead, she advocated for a "mindset change" among the populace, arguing that Uganda’s political challenges can only be addressed through a people-driven agenda and a community demanding accountable leadership.