On December 21, 2023, while holding special prayers for victims of human rights abuse and their families at the National Unity Platform (NUP) party headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Winnie Kiiza, and General Mugisha Muntu called for an alliance in 2024 to unseat the current NRM government.
Lukwago pledged his support for the NUP and promised that come 2024 they will work as united forces for change.
“We should start January with zeal, go on the grounds, and be united, not only on camera. Let’s make a chain, work hand in hand as leaders, and push for change,” Lukwago said.
“We have our differences in politics, but this is not the time for competition about party colors. On behalf of the progressive forces in the FDC, I hereby commit that all those who are here and those who are not here are going to rally in a single file with the NUP, ANT, and UPC until the dictator is away,” Lukwago added.
To many NRM diehards and supporters, this could have been easily brushed off as just loose talk by opposition members to excite supporters and party members, but to many who know the tactical prowess of Dr. Kizza Besigye and the support Lukwago has regardless of the party he supports, they know the threat the alliance poses.
An alliance within the opposition is something the NRM party should be worried about. Even when it seems very far from taking the presidency, it is close to winning more parliamentary seats and local council seats than they have at the moment.
If Besigye, Muntu, and Winnie Kiiza come on board, the tribal card that NUP holds for being a Baganda party will be absorbed if the top leadership of NUP signs a pact of cooperation and they forge a way to work together. This would have a positive impact on the party’s image as an all-inclusive and welcoming party, regardless of the tribe.
Besigye’s reputation as a mastermind of defiance and a great opposition politician precedes his name, and with his die-hard supporters from the FDC Katonga faction, it could be a great boost for the opposition alliance.
When the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura come on board, together with the massive support they have, it will be an army ready to fight the ruling government.
Besigye and Lukwago being defiant activists will boost the already existing and aggressive defiance in NUP supporters, who will be more motivated to rally behind any defiant activities involving Besigye, Lukwago, and Kyagulanyi.
In 2023, the government was under pressure by the opposition MP’s storming out of Parliament as they demanded an explanation of the alleged human rights abuse.
This was fronted at many international conferences and gatherings, and the government had to come out on several occasions in defense.
Moving forward, this would mean that any planned demonstrations and other means of civil disobedience by the opposition would be tackled with a more peaceful approach in fear of further human rights abuse accusations.
With the 2026 elections drawing closer, should the opposition alliance hold till then, a Besigye, Lukwago, Muntu, and Kyagulanyi alliance would mean a more consolidated opposition that is likely to win more seats both in Parliament and local councils. They may not beat the NRM in numbers, but they are likely to have more opposition leaders at local council elections and in parliament compared to what the opposition has now, and this will be a win for the alliance.
