Presidential candidate Mubarak Munyagwa has revealed the reasons behind his defection from the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), nearly a year after leaving the coalition.
Munyagwa, a former Kawempe South MP, said he departed after learning that PFF planned not to field a presidential candidate in the 2026 elections.
“I know and respect Dr Kizza Besigye so much. I was with him in FDC, and I still stood with him when he left. But what made me defect from PFF, even after being nominated as Security Minister, was when I got to know they planned not to front a presidential candidate,” Munyagwa explained.
Munyagwa, who later announced his own presidential bid, said he made the move to provide Ugandans with an alternative voice at the highest level of government.
“Ugandans needed a candidate who would take their struggle to the ballot and speak boldly for them. I was ready to take on that responsibility,” he said.
His reflections highlight ongoing strategic differences within Uganda’s opposition.
While some leaders favor grassroots mobilization and non-electoral approaches, Munyagwa and others maintain that a presidential contender is necessary to inspire hope and directly challenge the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Analysts note that his explanation could help clarify his political positioning for voters, particularly younger constituencies drawn to his energetic style, while also underscoring the challenges of a fragmented opposition ahead of the 2026 elections.
Munyagwa’s account of his departure from PFF illustrates how strategic disagreements over leadership and electoral strategy continue to shape Uganda’s opposition landscape.
