The Secretary General of the Democratic Front (DF), Michael Mabikke, has taken aim at Uganda’s opposition, accusing them of “chasing the wind” by engaging in elections without first achieving comprehensive electoral reforms.
Speaking on Sanyuka Morning Xpress on Tuesday, Mabikke argued that opposition leaders have repeatedly failed to effect meaningful change because they participate in a system he described as “deeply flawed and unverifiable.”
“The opposition leaders haven’t achieved anything meaningful. Anyone contesting against President Museveni without first pushing for electoral reforms is simply wasting time. They are chasing the wind,” he said.
Mabikke, a former Makindye West Member of Parliament, stressed that verified electoral processes are non-negotiable in a functioning democracy.
“In a true democracy, no one should participate in an election without verified reforms. If you can’t monitor or verify the process, you shouldn’t engage at all,” he said.
He warned that Uganda’s manual electoral system—from the voter register to the announcement of final results—lacks accountability and transparency.
“There is no recourse when everything is handled manually and cannot be verified. Those in power will never reform a system that guarantees their victory,” he added.
Citing Nakaseke South MP Paulson Luttamaguzi Ssemakula, Mabikke recalled a warning: “Whoever engages in such an election will become the celebrated fool of the 21st century.”
Mabikke urged opposition forces to unite, noting that divisions only benefit the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“Uganda needs a single, united voice. As long as the Electoral Commission is handpicked by one person and the entire process is controlled by the NRM, Museveni will always emerge the winner,” he said.
The remarks come shortly after the Democratic Front unveiled a new initiative to support its parliamentary candidates ahead of the 2026 general elections.
DF President and Nyendo Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba announced that the party will fund nomination fees for its parliamentary aspirants, aiming to reduce financial barriers and promote equitable participation.
“This initiative is part of our commitment to ensuring equitable participation in Uganda’s political space. We believe that financial barriers should not prevent capable Ugandans from joining politics,” Mpuuga said.
Mabikke, a former member of the Democratic Party's youth wing, Uganda Young Democrats, was among the founders of the Democratic Front in May 2025 following a fallout with NUP leadership.
He joined his fellow DP youth winger Mathias Mpuuga into the new trenches.
In August, the party decided not to field a presidential candidate in the upcoming general elections, citing the “ritualistic and predetermined” nature of Uganda’s elections and choosing to focus on parliamentary and local government positions instead.
“Participating in such an election only legitimizes a sham process,” the party said in an earlier statement.