The President of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Mugisha Muntu, has challenged political parties to build individual strength before forming coalitions.
Muntu, who was speaking on NBS Television's Morning Breeze show on Wednesday, argued that uniting weak parties does not create a formidable alliance, stating, "Weakness brought together doesn't bring strength."
Muntu highlighted the importance of active participation in the political process, likening inaction to "an ostrich burying its head in the sand."
He expressed his enduring optimism, asserting, "I live on hope. One thing I never allow in my mind is hopelessness."
Reflecting on Uganda's political history, Muntu's remarks resonate with past experiences where opposition coalitions faced challenges due to internal weaknesses.
For instance, the Democratic Alliance (TDA), formed in 2015 by various opposition parties and civil society organizations, aimed to present a unified front against the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Despite initial enthusiasm, TDA struggled to agree on a joint presidential candidate, leading to its eventual collapse.
The inability to consolidate support behind a single candidate highlighted the challenges of uniting fragmented opposition groups without strong individual foundations.
The National Unity Platform is also remembered to have formed a Coalition with members from the Democratic Party dubbed the ‘DP bloc’, a move that never yielded much beyond sending candidates to parliament.
Notable political figures like Mathias Mpuuga have since fallen out with the Kavule based party, forming yet another political outfit, Democratic Alliance.
“Our focus should be on building strength individually as political parties such that when it's time for an Alliance, you are bringing strength,” Muntu strongly remarked.
Muntu's call for building robust party structures emphasizes a strategic approach to political change.
By focusing on internal development, parties can contribute meaningfully to alliances, ensuring that coalitions are formed from positions of strength rather than shared weaknesses.