As Uganda gears up for the 2026 presidential elections, the growing list of presidential candidates reflects a dynamic political landscape. This evolving field promises a competitive race. Several candidates including Maj Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu of Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Mubaraka Munyagwa of the Common Man’s Party & Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu of the National Unity Platform (NUP) others including the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP), and the National Peasants Party (NPP) are financially broke and begging for government support.
The opposition presidential candidates are grappling with a severe financial crisis, pleading for state funding while accusing the government of frustrating donors. The financial drought has exposed the stark imbalance between NRM’s well-oiled campaign machines and the cash-strapped opposition.
Most parties say they are relying on personal savings and public contributions. The CMP leadership revealed they need at least UGX 1.5 billion but have raised only a small fraction. According to FDC Treasurer Godfrey Ekanya, financiers have been subjected to tax threats and security surveillance, scaring away support.
The Electoral Commission (EC) maintains it lacks the legal mandate to fund presidential candidates after amendments to the Presidential Elections Act. The EC says any change would require Parliament to reintroduce the provision.
Each presidential candidate was entitled to vehicles and at least UGX 20 million, but that support was abolished. Government recently released UGX 9.8 billion through the Interparty Organization for Dialogue (IPOD). Only parties that signed the IPOD memorandum (NRM, FDC, DP, UPC, Jeema) are expected to benefit.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) was excluded from the share, estimated at UGX 1.4 billion, for refusing to sign the IPOD agreement. NUP officials have described the IPOD funding as a political tool for control.
NUP revealed it has petitioned the Constitutional Court, challenging the amendment, accusing the government of enacting the law to “target and cripple” the party.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially handed over the Chairmanship of IPOD to Democratic Party (DP) leader Norbert Mao.
