Africa-Press – Uganda. The President of the Common Man’s Party (CMP), Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga, popularly known as “Mugati gwa Butter,” has expressed confidence in the growing strength and popularity of his party ahead of Uganda’s next general elections.
Speaking during Sanyuka One on One on Tuesday, Munyagwa argued out that other candidates benefit from well-organized campaign teams that help them mobilise large crowds at their rallies. He, however, presented the Common Man’s Party as an emerging force and a credible alternative to the seemingly dominant political parties.
“President Museveni has over 300 MPs, Kyagulanyi has over 50 MPs, and Nandala has more than 30 MPs. They all have teams that help them organise,” Munyagwa said, emphasising the challenges of mobilisation faced by emerging political movements.
Further drawing comparisons between his competitors, the former Kawempe South Member of Parliament highlighted the influence of music and entertainment in Uganda’s political scene.
“President Museveni has musicians at his rallies, while Kyagulanyi is a musician himself, and his deputy, Nubian Li, is also one. They can easily attract large crowds. Kyagulanyi has a strong team of musicians that can organize concerts wherever they go. That gives them an advantage,” he said.
Despite acknowledging these advantages, Munyagwa expressed optimism about his party’s growing grassroots support.
“Right now, the Common Man’s Party stands at 32%. If the election is free and fair, by the end of the campaigns, we will be slightly above 50%,” said.
He also outlined regional political dynamics, particularly in western Uganda, where he believes his influence is among the strongest.
“In the western region, the competition is between me and President Museveni. Kyagulanyi will come in third place,” Munyagwa declared.
However, Munyagwa admitted that his only significant concern in the race remains President Museveni’s control over state resources and security forces.
“I only fear President Museveni because of his army and money,” he said candidly.
The party, officially launched in July, was according to Munyagwa, formed out of dissatisfaction with Uganda’s opposition politics.
Munyagwa publicly distanced himself from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in June 2024, citing poor management, and ruled out joining the National Unity Platform (NUP), describing it as “poorly managed” and overly influenced by leadership’s personal interests.
At the heart of his campaign, Munyagwa outlined a wave of increasingly controversial proposals.
He has pledged to remove Swahili as Uganda’s national language and replace it with French, arguing that French will better position Uganda in global and regional integration, citing opportunities in Central Africa.
He has also promised to nationalise the health and education sectors to ensure equitable access for all citizens.
In addition to that, Munyagwa has vowed to revisit the East African Community Protocol, citing what he describes as inequalities in regional trade that disadvantage Ugandans, particularly from Kenya and Tanzania.
His party’s emblem is a silver plate, locally known as Lusaniya, a large serving dish traditionally used in Ugandan households to bring families and friends together around a meal, often pilau and meat.
According to Munyagwa, the Lusaniya represents unity and inclusiveness, as well as opposition against greed and corruption, principles that the CMP intends to embed in the governance of the country
Munyagwa adds his name to the 2026 presidential ballot paper amid a highly competitive opposition force that is not limited to two time presidential candidates Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu popularly known as Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Gen. Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).
Other contenders include Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Elton Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party (CP), Bulira Frank Kabinga of the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) and Robert Kasibante of the National Peasants Party (NPP).
All are seeking to retire incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since January 1986.
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