Africa-Press – Uganda. Joseph Kabuleta, leader of the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED), has confirmed he will contest the presidency in Uganda’s 2026 general elections, while ruling out any participation in political coalitions that lack shared values and long-term national objectives.
Kabuleta made the announcement during a press briefing on Monday, dismissing recent speculation about his political future and clarifying his party’s position on alliances.
His remarks come amid renewed calls within opposition circles to unify against the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) regime led by President Yoweri Museveni.
In February, NEED was among the founding members of the “Holy Alliance”, a loose opposition coalition that also included the Justice Forum (JEEMA), Michael Mabikke’s Social Democratic Party, Kenny Lukyamuzi’s Conservative Party, and the Democratic Party (DP) Block.
The coalition was formed to push for a peaceful post-Museveni transition and a democratic future for Uganda.
However, NEED later pulled out of the coalition, citing a lack of shared vision among the member parties.
“We are not against coalitions, but they must be founded on genuine values and a clear direction for this country,” Kabuleta said.
“NEED is not interested in opportunistic arrangements based on short-term political gain.”
Kabuleta also addressed persistent rumours that he is a state-sponsored candidate planted to divide the opposition.
“That’s cheap politics aimed at undermining voices of real change,” he said.
“Our agenda is economic liberation, not backdoor deals.”
He further accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of deliberately frustrating NEED’s registration process, alleging political interference.
“We finally received our certificate of registration on June 26, but the road was unnecessarily long. It only shows how compromised the EC is,” Kabuleta said.
With official registration now secured, Kabuleta revealed that NEED is preparing to launch its national roadmap, recruit candidates for various positions across the country, and embark on mass sensitization campaigns about its economic empowerment agenda.
“I am going to stand for presidency, and I will be on the ballot in 2026,” he declared.
This will be Kabuleta’s second presidential run, following his initial bid in the 2021 elections, where he positioned himself as a voice for economic justice and an alternative to Uganda’s entrenched political establishment.
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