The 2026 general elections in Uganda marked a significant turning point for the National Unity Platform (NUP), transitioning from a remarkable rise to a noticeable political decline. While there remains a strong desire for reform among many Ugandans, NUP failed to harness that energy due to several strategic miscalculations and a fundamental disconnect from the realities faced by the majority of the population. This summary explores the institutional and tactical failures that contributed to the party’s diminished influence in the current political landscape.

Central to NUP’s struggles was an increasingly rigid internal culture, which many observers characterized as hostile to criticism. By adopting an “all-or-nothing” approach, the party leadership often isolated potential allies and marginalized moderate voices within the opposition. This ideological intolerance fostered an environment where any deviation from party lines was viewed as a betrayal, ultimately hindering the formation of broad coalitions necessary to challenge a well-entrenched incumbent. Rather than building an inclusive movement, the party retreated into an echo chamber that valued loyalty over strategic growth.

Additionally, the party faced a significant “vision gap” that alienated pragmatic voters. While the “People Power” movement and the “New Uganda” brand effectively mobilized urban youth through emotive rhetoric and slogans like “Uganda is bleeding,” they struggled to provide a clear governance roadmap. Throughout the 2026 election cycle, NUP was unable to move beyond the language of protest. To the middle class and rural agricultural communities, the party appeared to lack a credible manifesto on issues such as debt management, infrastructure, food security, and digital transformation. This absence of a coherent governing philosophy left a void that voters filled with skepticism, opting for the predictability of the status quo over the uncertainty of undefined change.

The decline was further evidenced by the quality of candidates NUP fielded for parliamentary seats. The 2026 results revealed a significant decrease in the party’s legislative footprint, which resulted from prioritizing social media popularity over professional competence in candidate selection. Many of the MPs elected in previous cycles were perceived as ineffective, lacking the legislative skill to influence policy or provide a serious alternative to the NRM’s parliamentary caucus. This perceived incompetence led many Ugandans to conclude that NUP was not yet prepared for the complexities of governance.

Externally, the party’s reliance on international validation proved to be a tactical error. By continuously appealing to Western organizations like the UN and EU, as well as figures like Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, to intervene and remove the newly elected President, NUP inadvertently conveyed a sense of domestic weakness. Many Ugandans viewed this internationalist strategy with suspicion, interpreting it as an invitation for foreign interference in sovereign affairs. This allowed their opponents to successfully frame the party as a vessel for external interests rather than a homegrown movement rooted in Uganda.

Ultimately, the 2026 elections demonstrated that catchy slogans and a strong digital presence cannot replace institutional depth. NUP lacked the grassroots organizational structure necessary to protect the vote and manage a national campaign. By prioritizing “facts over feelings,” the Ugandan electorate sent a clear message: the majority do not align with a movement that lacks a clear roadmap and refuses to engage with constructive dissent. Without a radical shift towards professionalization and intellectual humility, the party’s performance in 2026 may be remembered as the moment the movement lost its way.

On September 18, 2025, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni called for peaceful dialogue and unity among Uganda’s political leaders as the nation gears up for the 2026 general elections. Speaking at the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) Summit at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Museveni emphasized the need to reject violence and divisive politics to ensure Uganda’s continued progress.

The summit, themed “Together for a Peaceful and Sustainable Uganda,” convened leaders from six political parties: the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Democratic Party (DP), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Justice Forum (JEEMA), and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The event marked a pivotal moment for fostering unity and consensus ahead of the elections.

In his keynote address, President Museveni, who also serves as NRM National Chairman and outgoing IPOD Summit Chair, urged opposition leaders to embrace peaceful engagement. “As we have seen in the last 40 years, the NRM has revived Uganda’s economy. Even if one has a wrong understanding, as long as they are not violent, the country will remain stable, and mistakes can be corrected,” he said. He warned that misdiagnosing societal issues and resorting to violence leads to chaos, citing examples from other African nations.

Drawing from his 65 years in politics, Museveni likened political leadership to medicine, stressing the importance of accurately diagnosing societal challenges. “If leaders misdiagnose societal issues, their countries collapse,” he cautioned, reiterating NRM’s core principles of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy as the foundation for Uganda’s future.

Addressing concerns raised by UPC President Jimmy Akena about the recent teachers’ strike, Museveni underscored the need to prioritize limited resources. He cited the example of Soroti Flying School, where prioritizing pilots and engineers over other staff prevented its collapse. “Freedom fighters always prioritize,” he noted.

A significant highlight of the summit was the peaceful handover of IPOD chairmanship from President Museveni to DP President General, Hon. Norbert Mao. “Thank you for trusting NRM with the leadership for the last five years. I now peacefully hand over,” Museveni said.

Hon. Mao, in his acceptance speech, committed to fostering consensus and ensuring a peaceful 2026 election. “We shall leave the door of IPOD open. Our agenda is to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair election process while addressing Uganda’s challenges honestly,” he said. Mao commended Museveni for releasing nearly 70 political detainees earlier this year, describing the gesture as a significant step toward reconciliation.

NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, praised Museveni for sustaining IPOD after international donors withdrew funding. “You have shown that homegrown solutions can address African challenges,” Todwong said, urging political parties to promote unity and democratic values.

UPC President Jimmy Akena reaffirmed his party’s commitment to dialogue, stating, “We may not agree on every policy, but we must focus on the greater good.” FDC President Patrick Oboi Amuriat called for meaningful dialogue and urged Museveni to pardon political prisoners to foster national reconciliation. “Progress requires leaving the past behind,” he said.

JEEMA President Asuman Basalirwa echoed the need for consensus, while PPP President Saddam Gayira highlighted the success of non-confrontational politics. “In 30 years, none of our members have been arrested because we preach peaceful engagement,” Gayira noted.

IPOD Executive Director Dr. Lawrence Sserwambala warned of challenges such as electoral violence and youth vulnerability, urging leaders to nurture young people as champions of peace. “The 2026 elections provide a critical opportunity to strengthen consensus, fairness, and inclusivity,” he said.

The summit saw attendance from key figures, including Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among, Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, and NRM’s Central Executive Committee members, signaling strong support for dialogue as a tool for democratic progress.

As Uganda approaches the 2026 elections, the IPOD Summit underscored the importance of unity, peaceful engagement, and consensus-building to secure a stable and prosperous future for the nation. “History will judge us by the choices we make. Let us choose peace and put Uganda first,” Dr. Sserwambala concluded.

On September 17, 2025, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni endorsed a comprehensive report on cattle compensation for the Teso sub-region, praising its recommendations as realistic, inclusive, and transformative. This announcement was made during a high-level meeting at State House in Entebbe, attended by a select committee led by Vice President Jessica Alupo, along with Members of Parliament, cultural leaders, and religious figures from Teso.

The report was presented by Hon. Okiror Bosco, the MP for Usuk County. It followed extensive consultations across Teso, prompted by concerns about corruption and inefficiencies in the ongoing cattle compensation program. Launched in March 2022 with a budget of UGX 200 billion, the initiative aims to compensate victims in Teso, Lango, and Acholi for livestock and property lost during past insurgencies and cattle raids.

The consultations confirmed President Museveni’s proposal for a uniform restocking plan that will provide five cows per household across Teso’s 12 districts, which are home to approximately 489,000 households according to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census. Hon. Okiror noted an alternative proposal that allows households to receive the cash equivalent of five cows, estimated at UGX 1.5 million to UGX 2 million per cow, enabling them to purchase livestock independently, with management at the sub-county level.

President Museveni expressed his support for the plan, emphasizing its potential to empower households while addressing challenges such as polygamous families. “For me, I would be comfortable with each male-headed unit, whether polygamous or not, first getting their share,” he said. “Once the cows multiply, those families will become agents of change, and the cows can then be shared.” He added that affordability would be managed through installments, with extended families considered later.

The President clarified that the districts of Butebo and Pallisa, which had petitioned for inclusion, would be addressed separately.

During the meeting, Museveni responded to concerns about the presence of Balaalo herders in Teso. “They should go. I solved this problem long ago,” he stated, stressing that herders must follow legal procedures to ensure harmony with local communities.

Vice President Alupo commended the consultation process, noting its comprehensive and incident-free execution. “All the people of Teso unanimously supported the restocking program for every household,” she said, adding that residents viewed it as part of broader government efforts to eradicate poverty. Cultural leaders, including His Highness Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot of the Iteso and Won Ateker Papa Kumam Raphael Otaya of the Kumam, praised Museveni for involving traditional institutions in national development and pledged continued collaboration.

The cattle compensation program is not a standard government initiative but a special measure to promote peace, reconciliation, and economic recovery in war-affected regions. Museveni’s endorsement of the report signals a commitment to addressing past grievances transparently and equitably. He noted that the previous compensation framework was inefficient and exclusionary, and the new plan aims to rectify these shortcomings.

The President also referenced his recent engagements in August 2025 across Teso, Lango, and Acholi, where he urged residents to select trustworthy representatives to finalize a new compensation framework. At a gathering in Lira’s Lango College grounds, he emphasized the need for reliable representation to resolve lingering issues. “I was recently in Soroti and heard the same concerns,” he remarked, addressing widespread dissatisfaction with middlemen and corruption in the current system.

Museveni announced that the report would be discussed in Cabinet, with further consultations planned to incorporate perspectives from Lango and Acholi. The meeting, attended by Attorney General Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka and other Teso leaders, underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring the program’s benefits reach all intended households fairly.

As Uganda moves forward with this transformative initiative, the uniform restocking plan promises to empower households in Teso, foster economic recovery, and strengthen community reconciliation in the region.