Kampala, Uganda: Kampala Lord Mayor and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) National Chairman, Al Hajj Ssalongo Erias Lukwago, has officially ruled himself out of the 2026 presidential race, choosing instead to defend his position as the city’s chief administrator.
The development ends weeks of speculation over whether Lukwago, a seasoned lawyer and long-time opposition figure, would step up to fill the vacuum left by Dr. Kizza Besigye, who has not declared any presidential ambitions.
But according to sources close to the former DP and FDC stalwart, Mr Lukwago is expected to pick up nomination forms for the Lord Mayor seat next week, cementing his decision.
Insiders reveal Lukwago opted out of the presidential contest after weighing the political landscape and concluding that a direct face-off with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who has held power for nearly four decades, would not be “a walkover” as many of his supporters had imagined.
Opposition Ripples
The decision has triggered ripples within the opposition, especially the National Unity Platform (NUP), where Lukwago’s anticipated candidacy had been seen as a potential game-changer.
His shift also disrupts the camp of Eng. Balimwezo Nsubuga, who had emerged as a frontrunner for the Lord Mayor position but now faces stiff competition with Lukwago’s renewed entry.
At the national level, Lukwago’s People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) is now expected to rally behind Gen. Mugisha Muntu, who has already confirmed his presidential bid.
Political observers believe Lukwago’s decision could help consolidate opposition forces around Muntu, although the wider question of opposition unity remains unresolved.
Strategic Recalibration
Lukwago’s move signals a strategic recalibration: preserving his dominance in Kampala politics while avoiding a risky presidential contest.
But political analysts argue that while his retreat from the national race may disappoint supporters seeking fresh opposition leadership, his decision to defend City Hall keeps him in play as one of the country’s most influential opposition figures.
Daily Express Uganda