By Aggrey Baba
The Justice Forum (JEEMA) is facing regret and internal division after failing to front a presidential candidate in the 2026 elections, a decision that has left the party torn between supporting President Yoweri Museveni and opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine).
During a tense National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Wednesday at Tal Cottages, Rubaga, party members reportedly disagreed over who to support, exposing the frustration caused by the party’s failure to produce its own flag-bearer, a move which has been described by many as a political blunder that had weakened JEEMA’s identity and bargaining power.
Party president and Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa told members he had not been approached by any presidential aspirant and left the decision to individuals, saying they should choose guided by party values.
However, members felt the party’s neutral stance had rendered it politically irrelevant.
National chairperson and former presidential candidate Muhammad Kibirige Mayanja led those urging support for President Museveni, arguing that many JEEMA candidates would rely on NRM voters in their constituencies. Others like Martha Kihumuro and Gamba Bukhali agreed, saying Museveni’s influence could help the party win parliamentary seats.
But the party’s legal secretary Masimoos Kalungi and several others opposed the idea, insisting that JEEMA should align with Kyagulanyi to maintain its position as part of the Opposition.
“Kyagulanyi is now the face of the Opposition. Supporting him would affirm our values of justice and fairness,” he argued.
After heated debate, the NEC resolved that JEEMA would not endorse any presidential candidate, allowing members to choose individually. The decision drew criticism from within, with women’s league secretary Salima Lunkuse Nsibambi warning that the party had lost its voice.
“We made a mistake by not fielding our own candidate. Now we are just spectators,” she remarked.
Party electoral commission chairperson Ibrahim Nsamba also cautioned that neutrality could damage JEEMA’s credibility, reminding members of past alliances that ended in disappointment.
Many JEEMA members now admit the party’s indecision has left it politically stranded, a situation that has turned reflection into regret. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
