Mpuuga endorsed by DP Bloc, Musisi calls it political play

In a significant but controversial move ahead of Uganda's 2026 presidential elections, the Democratic Party Bloc (DP Bloc) has endorsed Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, for the presidency.

However, the endorsement has sparked debates within political circles, with legal analyst and party counsel George Musisi criticizing the decision as lacking substantial political value.

The DP Bloc, a coalition of opposition parties aligned with the Democratic Party's ideology, made the endorsement through its National Executive Council (NEC).

This organ within the bloc is responsible for key decision-making and strategic positioning ahead of elections.

According to insiders, the NEC’s endorsement of Mpuuga is seen as part of a broader strategy to consolidate the opposition's support base and challenge President Yoweri Museveni’s continued grip on power.

Musisi, however, dismissed the endorsement as mere political theatrics.

In a statement to the press, he accused the bloc of playing politics without addressing the real needs of Ugandans.

"This is just political posturing. There’s no real value in it," Musisi said. "Endorsing a candidate three years before the election without a clear roadmap or actionable agenda for the people is just a play for media attention."

Critics have pointed out that while Mpuuga’s leadership in parliament has gained traction, the endorsement could further fragment an already divided opposition.

With other prominent opposition figures like Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) from the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Kizza Besigye from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) also eyeing the 2026 race, some analysts believe that a unified opposition may be difficult to achieve.

Despite the criticism, DP Bloc officials defended their decision, with NEC member Paul Ssemogerere stating that Mpuuga has demonstrated leadership and commitment to democracy.

"Mpuuga is a leader with integrity, and we believe he is the best candidate to lead Uganda to a new era of governance," Ssemogerere said.

The endorsement has already triggered internal discussions among opposition parties about the possibility of forming a coalition, though it remains unclear how this will unfold in the run-up to 2026.

As political maneuvering continues to intensify, the spotlight is now on Mpuuga, who has yet to formally respond to the endorsement, and how he plans to navigate the complex terrain of Uganda’s opposition politics.