MASAKA.
Democratic Front (DF) party president Mathias Mpuuga has officially decleared that he will seek re-election as MP for Nyendo–Mukungwe Municipality in Masaka City , pledging continued leadership and service to the electorate .
Speaking during a community engagement at Mukudde Village in Masaka City, Mpuuga who has been area MP for 15 years said the party had tasked him with continuing to represent the people of Nyendo–Mukungwe for another five years as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the Democratic Front’s presence in Parliament.
“The party has directed me to return to Nyendo–Mukungwe and serve another five years as we prepare for the next move,” he said.
“People have been asking why I have not put up posters, but posters are not the main thing—the person is. If you don’t know Mpuuga or hear from him, you can’t feel his impact. Every area has its leader, and places without proper leadership tend to scatter in times of crisis. Masaka needs strong leadership to remain steady,” he added.
The former Leader of the Opposition dismissed speculation that he was planning to contest for the presidency, emphasising that leadership is about readiness and purpose rather than ambition.
“During our national Democratic Front meeting, I was advised not to run this time because they might trap us, but surprisingly, when I said I wouldn’t run, others started asking why I wasn’t contesting.
Contesting is not an emotional act; it’s strategic. When the time comes, and I am ready to lead at the national level, the dust will rise because I will be prepared,” he said.
Mpuuga,50 also refuted allegations of misusing public funds during his tenure as Leader of Opposition, describing the claims as politically motivated.
“I am not God, and I am not an angel. But if you talk about serious people who act with principle, Mpuuga is one of them. Calling me corrupt because you fear me or have personal problems won’t change the truth,” Mpuuga said.
“When they said I ‘ate Shs500 million,’ I asked, is there any year I don’t handle that much money while serving Masaka? The Leader of the Opposition has privileges similar to those of a Prime Minister, and even after leaving office, the state continues to accord them respect. That’s why leaders like Ssekandi still receive official care,” he explained.
He urged the people of Masaka to remain focused on electing leaders capable of delivering genuine change.
“We still have a journey ahead. Let’s walk together without insults or divisions,” he appealed.
Since the political temperature rose across the country, with various contenders expressing interest in different positions, Mpuuga had remained silent, leaving many speculating about his political plans.
Some even thought he might contest for the presidency after he did not appear before the Electoral Commission on September 23 and 24 for the confirmation of presidential candidates.
Masaka Woman MP Juliet Kakande ,who like Mpuuga defected from National Unity Platform (NUP) before forming DF ,also rallied residents to support Democratic Front candidates, emphasizing the party’s commitment to improved service delivery.
Residents of Mukudde Village used the occasion to request road rehabilitation in their area, a concern that Nyendo–Mukungwe Mayor Mulindwa Nakumusana promised to address soon.