Mubarak Munyagwa, the former Member of Parliament from Kawempe South, believes that being in the opposition in today’s Uganda has turned into a profitable business venture. He states that the opposition has greatly benefited from funds provided to them, which has made them comfortable remaining in opposition instead of striving to lead the government.
According to Mubarak, President Museveni made a mistake by allowing money to reach the opposition, as they have now turned it into a highly lucrative business opportunity, resulting in substantial wealth for them.
“The issue President Museveni has caused is the flow of money to the opposition. Being in opposition has now become a lucrative venture where everyone wants to try their luck. It’s currently a very profitable business,” says Mubarak.
During a discussion on a local television program about the roadmap to the 2026 elections and how the opposition’s political landscape unfolds, Mubarak explains that Gen Muhoozi Kenienrugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), who aspires to become President, already has established structures in place. This setup ensures that individuals like Kyagulanyi have no chance of leading the country and instead continue benefiting financially from the government.
“They have created parallel structures for the CDF, like the assistant RDCs, which will be under his command. Therefore, people like Kyagulanyi, who have been absent, don’t stand a chance. He is mistaken to think he has an opportunity. Let him just continue benefiting from the government financially,” explains Mubarak.
Patrick Wakida a political analyst said that, the current politics is for sale and it is a way of making money especially for the opposition, real politics has started to lose meaning.
“We have two types of people in politics, those activities who point out things and do nothing about it, because they have been compromised and end up having no powers to solve issues and then politicians who have the power, but just make noise and without solving the issues, because politics to them is a business,” observes Wakida.
According to Mubarak, the duty and right of the opposition, when they believe that the public interest is at stake, is to oppose the government’s policies and actions using legitimate parliamentary means. In doing so, the opposition aims to convince the public that they should take the government’s place. Unfortunately, the Ugandan opposition is doing the opposite by blending in with the ruling government.
