The President of the Common Man’s Party (CMP), Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga, popularly known as ‘Mugati gwa butter’, has sounded the alarm over his personal safety, saying his life is under threat just days after he was officially nominated by the Electoral Commission (EC) to contest for the highest office in the land.
Speaking during Sanyuka One on One on Tuesday, Munyagwa stated that the intensity of the threats against him is proof of the enthusiasm surrounding his candidacy.
“I urgently need more security – at least four vehicles and additional guards. As the only candidate facing real threats and carrying a big manifesto, safety is essential. While security can be inconvenient, it is absolutely necessary,” Munyagwa said.
Munyagwa further claimed that some of his campaign teams had already been blocked from holding rallies, particularly in Bwaise, suggesting that his rise as a credible contender is unsettling both the ruling establishment and sections of the opposition.
“Even my team from Bwaise was blocked, and opposition sees me as a real contender,” he said.
Despite the continued threats, Munyagwa vowed to press ahead with his rallies, highlighting the grassroots-centered philosophy of the Common Man’s Party.
“Today, we have three rallies lined up. We will campaign hard and show our people what the Common Man’s Party stands for. Sharing meals with the people, seeing their smiles and happiness, reminds me why we do this,” he said.
He emphasized that CMP thrives on organic mobilization rather than external funding.
“As a President and a candidate of the Common Man’s Party, we stay connected with the people on the ground: we smile when they smile, and we feel their struggles. Unlike some, we don’t rely on fault funders – we generate organic crowds and true support.”
The party’s emblem, a silver plate locally known as Lusaniya, symbolizes communal meals and unity, an ethos Munyagwa says will guide his governance approach against greed and corruption.
In one of his most controversial proposals, Munyagwa reiterated his stance against Kiswahili as Uganda’s national language, advocating instead for French.
“We should reconsider promoting Kiswahili and instead focus on an international language like French. We cannot compromise our diversity—our many Ugandan languages are a strength, and they are enough. Kiswahili offers limited opportunities, and many Ugandans struggle with it because they never mastered it,” he said.
Munyagwa argues that French would better position Uganda within regional and global integration, particularly in opening doors to Central African markets where French is dominant.
Turning to foreign policy, the former Kawempe South Member of Parliament stressed the need for balanced partnerships, acknowledging Uganda’s long history with U.S. aid while calling for strategic cooperation with Russia.
“While China rarely provides aid freely, Uganda has benefited from American support since the 1960s. We also need partnerships with countries like Russia, but American aid often comes with conditions if Russia is involved,” Munyagwa said.
He also noted that veteran opposition leader and four time presidential candidate Kizza Besigye welcomed his presidential nomination, a signal that his candidacy has started reshaping opposition dynamics ahead of the 2026 elections.
Munyagwa officially launched his campaign in Kawempe on Monday, where he unveiled his manifesto to his supporters, which emphasises free and specialised education and healthcare, anchored by a national health insurance scheme in which every citizen contributes 20,000 Shs per year for first class medical services. He is scheduled to continue the trail in Makindye, before proceeding to Bugweri and Bugiri districts.
On Wednesday, Munyagwa will launch his campaign in Jinja City, the heart of the Busoga sub-region, before heading to Iganga on Thursday and Kamuli on Friday.
Over the weekend, Munyagwa is expected to address voters in Buyende and Namutumba districts.
Munywaga stands in the middle of a highly contested opposition field that includes Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu popularly known as Bobi Wine of NUP, Gen. Mugisha Muntu of ANT, Nathan Nandala Mafabi of FDC, Elton John Mabirizi of CP, and Robert Kasibante of NPP, all aiming to unseat incumbent President Yoweri Museveni.