Political analyst Charles Rwomushana has expressed a stark assessment of Uganda’s opposition landscape, suggesting that opposition presidential candidates face significant hurdles in mounting a serious challenge against the ruling party.
Speaking on NBS Barometer on Tuesday, Rwomushana highlighted the diminishing electoral strength of opposition figures compared to previous elections, arguing that presidential politics is a different battlefield and that no candidate currently on the ballot has the capacity to unseat incumbent President Museveni.
“The moment you agree to take part in this election, you’ve already lost. I don’t think any opposition candidate today can attract as many votes as Kizza Besigye once did,” he said.
Adding his perspective, the Vice President of the Democratic Party (DP), Fred Mukasa Mbidde, observed that the incumbent faces no credible opposition.
He noted that the increasing number of presidential aspirants reflects the democratic space created under the NRM.
“In this election, no one is really against President Museveni. There are those supporting him and those who simply want to show that he is running a democratic country. Even the international community can see democracy at play,” Mbidde said.
Rwomushana’s assessment underscores the challenges facing opposition candidates as Uganda approaches the 2026 general elections, with analysts highlighting the incumbent’s entrenched political machinery and widespread support.