The President of the Common Man’s Party (CMP), Mubarak Munyagwa has expressed confidence that he is fast rising in popularity and will soon surpass both President Yoweri Museveni and National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine.
Speaking during an appearance on Sanyuka Television, Munyagwa said he believes he currently ranks third in the presidential race but is steadily gaining ground.
“I believe I’m the third in the race. NRM and NUP are ahead of me, but I’m skyrocketing and will soon overtake them,” Munyagwa said.
“They have an advantage, they’ve been receiving IPOD money and transporting people to different campaign rallies," he added.
The former legislator dismissed the idea that attracting large crowds determines a candidate’s strength, arguing that his approach focuses more on delivering his message directly to the people.
“It’s not all about pulling crowds. We don’t depend on huge rallies. Yesterday, I spoke at twelve rallies, and by the time I left, my message had sunk into people’s hearts,” he noted.
Munyagwa also criticised some presidential contenders for lacking national appeal, saying many limit themselves to supporters who speak their own language.
“They are not national in character. Many presidential opposition candidates are happy and proud simply because they speak one language. But you can’t lead people when you don’t know at least three languages,” he said.
Munyagwa, has been touring different parts of the country, urging Ugandans to embrace leadership that unites rather than divides along ethnic or political lines.
However, his campaign rallies have attracted relatively small crowds compared to those of President Museveni and Kyagulanyi, who continue to draw larger audiences across the country.