By Aggrey Baba
The political agreement signed yesterday, between the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) to collaborate ahead of the 2026 general election has drawn mixed reactions from political leaders, with some allies of President Yoweri Museveni expressing skepticism about its effectiveness.
The deal, signed and witnessed by leaders from both parties, outlines cooperation on joint candidacies at parliamentary and presidential levels, protection of civil campaigns, and efforts to create a unified opposition electoral platform.
ANT national coordinator Alice Alaso described the pact as a symbol of the opposition’s determination to challenge NRM’s long-standing rule.
However, Emmanuel Dombo, spokesperson for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), expressed doubt about the alliance’s potential to bring meaningful change, saying: “These parties have a history of failed unity attempts. Collaboration like this does not inspire much hope.”
Dombo’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among some government officials who view opposition coalitions as fragile and often short-lived, citing previous alliances that dissolved before elections, such as the IPC alliance of 2011.
Leaders within the opposition themselves acknowledge challenges in maintaining unity. Alice Alaso cautioned against hunters focused more on securing lucrative political positions than advancing democratic change, emphasizing the need for purposeful unity.
Political analyst highlighted the organizational weaknesses faced by opposition parties, noting that many have failed to field polling agents in key constituencies, a critical element in electoral success.
The ANT-PFT marriage is reportedly in discussions with the National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Robert Kyagulanyi, for possible alignment ahead of the elections. However, no formal agreement has yet been announced.
Observers note that the opposition faces significant hurdles in consolidating various parties into a coherent front that can effectively contest NRM, which has maintained power for over three decades.
Uganda’s political history is marked by multiple attempts by opposition parties to form coalitions before general elections. However, many such efforts, including those in 1996, 2011, and 2016, ended in fragmentation and defeat.
A senior official of the JEEMA party, said his party has participated in such arrangements before but has often experienced betrayal and unmet promises, saying the pattern of failed opposition alliances continues, and this new agreement will need to overcome those past challenges to succeed.
With less than seven months to the 2026 general election, the ANT-PFT agreement sets out intentions to collaborate on joint candidate selection, coordinated civil resistance, and the establishment of a technical council to guide decision-making.
Whether this alliance will endure and translate into a stronger opposition front remains uncertain, as past attempts have demonstrated the difficulty of sustaining unity among Uganda’s opposition parties. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
