Africa-Press – Uganda. The National Coordinator of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Alice Alaso, has issued a stark assessment of Uganda’s political trajectory, warning that the country’s civic space risks further deterioration while urging opposition forces to urgently reorganize around a people-centered, non-violent agenda.
Speaking during NBS Morning Breeze on Wednesday, Alaso described an increasingly strained political environment in which the ruling party’s conduct is “getting worse,” suggesting that the situation within the opposition—and the country at large—could further deteriorate if corrective steps are not taken.
“The situation in the Opposition can only get worse. As we continue to walk this journey, the ruling party is becoming very desperate and they are just getting worse in their conduct. One can predict the continued or even total elimination of the civic space in Uganda,” she said.
Alaso pointed to a critical gap in opposition planning, noting that pre-election engagements were narrowly focused on electoral processes, with little attention given to post-election strategy—an omission she says has left opposition groups fragmented.
“In the run up to the last elections, we had many conversations. However, most of the discussions were about the election. We didn’t properly engage on what would be done after the election. That’s why the Opposition seems scattered,” she said.
To address this, she revealed that ANT intends to initiate dialogue with the National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Robert Kyagulanyi, aimed at building institutional resilience and ensuring the survival of opposition structures beyond individual leaders.
“I want to believe that the systems within the NUP can survive even in the absence of Hon. Kyagulanyi,” she said, emphasizing the importance of durable political institutions.
Alaso further highlighted ideological continuity within the opposition, drawing parallels between Kyagulanyi and veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye.
“The things Dr. Besigye stood for and the things Hon. Kyagulanyi stands for are not different. The community should make sure the leaders deliver the Uganda they deserve,” she said.
Alaso firmly dismissed violence as a political tool, reiterating that sustainable change must be rooted in citizen participation and collective ownership of a national agenda.
“Certainly violence is out of question. It’s something we haven’t applied as an alternative strategy and we won’t apply it. The cure is not in violence—the cure is in an agenda that is owned by the people of Uganda,” she said.
Alaso also cautioned against political disengagement, urging citizens to remain hopeful and active despite governance challenges.
“The worst you can do is be hopeless in a very bad situation. With this kind of governance, we can’t afford to become hopeless,” she said, calling for a broader “mindset change” among Ugandans.
Alaso accused those in power of being disconnected from citizens’ realities, alleging that leaders prioritize personal interests over national concerns.
“The people in power seem to act oblivious to the things that are happening in Uganda. For them, as long as their needs are met, they don’t care about the rest of Ugandans,” she said.
Alaso also disclosed that she has repeatedly rejected overtures from the National Resistance Movement (NRM), arguing that joining the party would amount to “purely personal survival.”
“The NRM has tried to persuade me many times. The way it is being run is not something I want to be part of,” she said, adding that some opposition figures who defect may struggle to exist outside political power.
Despite current challenges, Alaso described ANT’s single parliamentary seat in the upcoming legislature as a significant milestone.
“ANT has one MP in the next Parliament. That’s massive for us. We are also part of the bigger opposition in the House. It’s small, but it’s a big move for us,” she said.
Alaso’s remarks follow an announcement by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, that he is temporarily leaving Uganda after more than eight weeks of operating from undisclosed locations. He said he would use the trip to increase international engagement regarding the election outcome.
“I am announcing my brief exit from the country to handle important work. Over the next few weeks, I will engage with our friends in the diaspora before returning to Uganda to continue the push for freedom and democracy,” he said in a video shared on his social media platforms.
During his absence, Kyagulanyi appointed NUP Vice President for Western Uganda, Lina Zedriga Waru, to serve as the party’s acting president.
Kyagulanyi, who had been in hiding since the day after the polls, said he had to evade “snatch squads” during what he described as a heavy military siege around his residence.
“The regime has looked for me everywhere. They have raided the homes of many colleagues, well, they couldn’t find me because the people of Uganda sheltered me and protected me,” he said.
Since the January 15 election, Kyagulanyi has rejected the results, alleging electoral malpractice by the Electoral Commission, claims that government officials have consistently denied.
On January 16, 2026, he reportedly left his Magere residence after what he described as a military raid and has since continued communicating with supporters through social media.
Despite the controversy, Kyagulanyi has said he will not challenge the results in court, citing a lack of faith in the judiciary, and has instead called for peaceful protests.
Government officials, including ICT and National Guidance Minister Chris Baryomunsi, have dismissed claims of political persecution, stating that there is no intention to arrest or harm the opposition leader.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja also urged Kyagulanyi to return home, while authorities maintained that security deployments around his residence are for protection and to prevent public disorder.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Henry Oryem Okello emphasized that Kyagulanyi is free to travel, reiterating that security presence at his home is for his safety.
“As far as we are concerned, the elections are done, and Bobi Wine is free to move in and out of the country as he so wishes, provided he does not do anything against the law of the land,” he said.
