In a fiery rebuke, Member of Parliament for Nyendo Mukungwe, Mathias Mpuuga, has publicly challenged President Yoweri Museveni’s recent apology to the Buganda Kingdom and the Ugandan people, questioning its sincerity in light of the ongoing political climate.
Mpuuga, while launching his newly formed political party, the Democratic Front (DF), on Tuesday, May 27th, 2025, addressed the President directly, stating that the apology, while welcome, rings hollow while the government continues to allegedly persecute and suppress the opposition.
“President Yoweri Museveni and his wife, Janet Museveni’s public apology to Buganda and Uganda is welcome,” Mpuuga acknowledged, as quoted by Daily Monitor.
However, he quickly followed with a pointed critique, “It would make more sense if he apologised and left power like his friend and teacher, Julius Nyerere (former Tanzanian President) did.”
The crux of Mpuuga’s argument lies in what he perceives as a discrepancy between the conciliatory gesture of an apology and the continued actions of the government.
“Making a public apology as you prepare the gallows for our children (opposition supporters) is questionable,” he stated, implying that the apology lacks genuine remorse while perceived political opponents face severe repercussions.
Mpuuga’s criticism comes at a pivotal moment as he introduces the Democratic Front (DF) to Uganda’s political landscape.
He describes the DF as a movement born out of a need for “meaningful transformation” and a rejection of “the tired cycle of recycled ideologies.”
“Introducing the Democratic Front (DF), a new political party that is deliberate in bringing freshness to Uganda’s political landscape,” Mpuuga announced.
He emphasized the party’s focus on “logical thinkers, progressive minds, and those who believe in political ethics and disciplined service delivery.”
The DF, according to Mpuuga, is not intended as a disruptive force, but rather as a “necessity born of the failures of the status quo.”
He positions the party as a home for those seeking an alternative to the current political climate, one that prioritizes ethics, accountability, and genuine change.
This latest development adds another layer of complexity to Uganda’s political landscape. Mpuuga’s pointed remarks directly challenge the authenticity of Museveni’s apology and raise questions about the government’s commitment to genuine reconciliation.
The launch of the Democratic Front further signals a growing appetite for change and a potential shift in the balance of power in the years to come.
It remains to be seen how President Museveni and the ruling NRM party will respond to this emerging political force and the accusations leveled against them.
