Former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, has officially launched a new political formation, the Democratic Alliance (DA), signaling a decisive break from the National Unity Platform (NUP), a party he co-founded ahead of the 2021 general elections.
Mpuuga made the announcement on Friday during a press event in Kampala, where he outlined the vision and objectives of the new political group. He expressed frustration with the current state of opposition politics in Uganda, questioning, “How does the leading opposition party fall into such a deep slumber?”
The Democratic Alliance is set to be formally registered as a political party once it meets the requirements set by the Electoral Commission. This move follows a series of disagreements between Mpuuga and NUP leadership, particularly over the party’s direction, internal governance, and strategy for the future. Mpuuga’s fallout with NUP, especially with party president Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), highlights growing tensions within the opposition, as the two have increasingly found themselves at odds on key issues.
Mpuuga’s break from NUP reflects his desire for a more dynamic and responsive opposition platform. He has expressed that the opposition needs to be more active and strategic in order to challenge the ruling government effectively.
His new formation, the Democratic Alliance, is seen as a fresh approach to Ugandan politics, one that emphasizes collaboration, pragmatism, and a clear vision for the country’s future.
In addition to his political motives, Mpuuga’s departure from NUP holds significance in the Buganda region, where he has strong ties.
Mpuuga has a well-established relationship with Charles Peter Mayiga, the Buganda Premier, and his association with the Buganda Kingdom has been a key factor in his political strength. With this connection, Mpuuga’s new political formation is expected to garner significant support in Buganda, a region that has traditionally been a stronghold for NUP. The backing of influential figures could provide the Democratic Alliance with substantial leverage and political influence in central Uganda. This is most likely to badly affect NUP’s support in the region.
At the same event, musician Patrick Mulwana, popularly known as Alien Skin, also pledged his support for the Democratic Alliance, vowing to back its campaigns in the upcoming 2026 elections. Alien Skin’s endorsement is seen as a significant boost to Mpuuga’s new political venture, as the musician’s popularity, especially among the youth, could attract a fresh wave of support for the DA.
The DA’s emergence as a viable opposition party could lead to a more competitive political environment as Uganda moves closer to the next general elections.
