A section of opposition legislators who lost in the recently concluded 2026 general elections has met President Yoweri Museveni to discuss their political future and national issues.
The group of 17 includes the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) parliamentary whip and Mawokota South MP Yusuf Nsibambi, Kyamuswa County’s Kabusu Moses who ran on the People’s Front for Freedom ticket, and former Kawempe North MP Latif Ssebaggala, who contested on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, among others.
Speaking after the meeting, Nsibambi said some members were not captured in photographs either out of fear or excitement.
“The meeting took place at State House Entebbe, and the President gave us two full hours of discussion, something unprecedented, because previously he would only give us about 40 minutes,” Nsibambi said.
He noted that key among the issues discussed was the matter of political prisoners, particularly young people who were allegedly misled by senior opposition figures during the recent elections.
“We believe dialogue is possible, and it was on the agenda. The President said he has no problem with their release and urged us to rehabilitate them,” Nsibambi said.
However, he added that President Museveni explained that he does not have the authority to release individuals from prison unless they seek amnesty.
“He said there is a plea-bargaining process through which some of them can be released,” Nsibambi added.
Nsibambi further revealed that the group briefly discussed the issue of former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, but did not delve deeply into it.
“We did not go into details, so we don’t fully understand the matter. He said Bobi Wine’s issue can be formally tabled by the NUP leadership for discussion,” Nsibambi said.
Kyagulanyi, who lost the presidential election to incumbent President Museveni, is reportedly on the run. His home has been raided several times by the military, although authorities have not publicly disclosed the specific allegations against him.
Nsibambi also said he raised the case of Butambala County MP Muwanga Kivumbi, requesting the President to order an inquest into the circumstances that led to his arrest and prosecution.
Kivumbi, who also serves as NUP Vice President for the Central Region, is facing criminal charges after being arrested, charged, and remanded on allegations of terrorism.
The alleged incidents, including attacks on a police station and a polling centre, reportedly left seven people dead.
