Neyedo-Mukungwe Member of Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, is set to launch a new political party, the Democratic Front (DF), ahead of Uganda’s 2026 General Elections, The Daily Star has learned.
The announcement was made at the party’s offices on Namirembe Bishop Road in Kampala. Mpuuga’s Party Move Signals Shift in Opposition Politics Before 2026.
The formation of the Democratic Front follows Mpuuga’s defection from the National Unity Platform (NUP), where he previously served in several key roles, including Deputy President for the Buganda Region.
Mpuuga is not alone in the move. Other NUP members who have joined the Democratic Front include: Dr. Abed Bwanika (MP, Kimaanya-Kabonera), Kakembo Michael (MP, Entebbe Municipality) and Juliet Nakabuyi Kakande (Masaka City Woman MP).
According to Mpuuga, the official party launch will take place on June 27, 2025, at Laston Gardens in Kijjabwemi, Masaka. A delegates’ conference will precede the launch on June 26, 2025.
He also unveiled the official DF membership cards, now available for party members. Additionally, the party has opened expressions of interest for various political positions, with application forms available at its Namirembe Bishop Road office.
Fallout with NUP
In January 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of NUP dismissed Mpuuga from his position and appointed Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi as the new Deputy President for Buganda Region. According to NUP Secretary General Lewis Lubongoya, Mpuuga had effectively distanced himself from the party’s values.
The fallout followed allegations of corruption against Mpuuga. He was accused of awarding himself a Shs 500 million “service award” during his tenure as a Parliamentary Commissioner. Although court later confirmed that the funds were disbursed through established procedures, the incident sparked controversy within NUP.
On March 15, 2024, NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) publicly addressed the matter. He stated that Mpuuga, along with Speaker Anita Among and other Parliamentary Commissioners, had been implicated in a misallocation scandal.
“It was alleged that Mpuuga, together with Speaker Anita Among and others, wrongfully awarded himself Shs 500 million,” Bobi Wine said. “After credible evidence came to light, I convened a meeting with all deputy presidents and party leadership.”
Bobi Wine noted that during the meeting, Mpuuga admitted to receiving the money and acknowledged that it should not have been awarded personally. He was advised to: Return the funds, Apologize publicly, and Resign from his position on the Parliamentary Commission.
“We await to see whether Mpuuga will heed this advice and take moral action,” Kyagulanyi added.
Formal Recall from Parliamentary Commission
On March 18, 2024, NUP Secretary General Lubongoya formally petitioned Speaker Anita Among to recall Mpuuga from the Parliamentary Commission. Lubongoya stated that Mpuuga’s response to NEC’s notice had failed to adequately address the allegations.
“NEC has resolved to recall Mathias Mpuuga from the Parliamentary Commission on the grounds of corruption, dishonesty, and abuse of office,” Lubongoya wrote, further nominating Zaake Francis Butebi as Mpuuga’s replacement.
In response, Speaker Among clarified that while parties nominate commissioners, it is Parliament that elects them. Once elected, commissioners no longer represent party interests but serve Parliament as a whole.
“Commissioners can only be removed through a motion supported by at least one-third of voting MPs,” she noted. With 529 members of Parliament, at least 177 MPs would need to support such a motion.
Among added that Mpuuga had neither vacated his parliamentary seat nor been found guilty of misconduct by Parliament—conditions required for his removal from the commission.
Tensions Continue
Since the incident, tensions between Mpuuga and the NUP leadership have escalated, culminating in his decision to break away and form a new party. Whether the Democratic Front will reshape Uganda’s opposition landscape ahead of 2026 remains to be seen.
