Common Man’s Party (CMP) presidential candidate Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga, popularly known as “Mugati Gwa Butter,” has placed digital engagement and strategic outreach at the centre of his campaign, arguing that technology-driven dialogue now carries more influence than traditional mass rallies.
Speaking during Sanyuka One on One on Tuesday, Munyagwa said he is the only presidential contender actively engaging bloggers and online influencers through sustained, direct conversations. He described this approach as better aligned with the evolving political landscape, where voters increasingly rely on digital platforms for information, interaction, and accountability.
“In today’s technological era, direct one-on-one dialogue is more effective than multiple rallies. I’m the only presidential candidate actively engaging with bloggers,” he said.
The former Kawempe South Member of Parliament framed his campaign as one rooted in intelligence, strategy, and a deep understanding of the people, insisting that meaningful engagement—not spectacle—is what builds public trust.
He also made a bold prediction about the outcome of the presidential race, claiming that no single candidate will secure an outright majority.
“I will be the determining factor in who becomes president on January 15th. No candidate will attain 50 percent,” Munyagwa said.
He further claimed that the CMP enjoys the backing of a “silent majority,” positioning the party as a decisive force both during and after the election.
“The silent majority supports the Common Man’s Party. It is the common people who will decide the future of this nation. The only party that will remain standing in opposition is the Common Man’s Party,” he added.
The Common Man’s Party, officially launched in July 2025, was formed out of dissatisfaction with Uganda’s opposition politics.
Munyagwa publicly severed ties with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in June 2024, citing poor management, and ruled out joining the National Unity Platform (NUP), which he described as poorly managed and overly driven by personal interests of its leadership.
At the core of his campaign are several far-reaching policy proposals. Munyagwa has pledged to remove Swahili as Uganda’s national language and replace it with French, arguing that the move would better position Uganda within regional and global markets, particularly in Central Africa.
He has also vowed to nationalize the health and education sectors, saying this would guarantee equitable access for all citizens.
Additionally, Munyagwa has committed to revisiting the East African Community Protocol, citing what he describes as structural trade inequalities that disadvantage Ugandan businesses, particularly in competition with Kenya and Tanzania.
The party’s symbol—a silver plate locally known as Lusanyiya—reflects CMP’s ideological message. Traditionally used in Ugandan households to bring families together around shared meals, the Lusanyiya, according to Munyagwa, represents unity, inclusiveness, and resistance to greed and corruption, values the party intends to embed in national governance.
With just days to next Thursday’s presidential election, Munyagwa enters an increasingly crowded opposition field that includes Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) of NUP, Gen. Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Nathan Nandala Mafabi of FDC, Elton Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party (RPP), and Robert Kasibante of the National People’s Party (NPP).
All are seeking to unseat President Yoweri Museveni, who assumed power on January 26, 1986, and has led the country ever since.