“I Won’t Contest Against Museveni Anymore” Besigye Declares Exit From Presidential Race, Focuses on Mentoring Future Leaders

In an unexpected political development, long-time opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye has announced he will not be contesting in Uganda’s upcoming 2026 general elections. The declaration, made just five months before the polls, has taken many Ugandans by surprise and left the opposition landscape in a state of uncertainty.

Dr. Besigye, a dominant force in Ugandan opposition politics for over two decades, was recently appointed Chair of the Council of Eminent Persons within the newly formed People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). This council serves as the party’s top advisory organ. According to PFF rules, anyone holding that position is barred from seeking any elective office, either within the party or at the national level.

At a press briefing, PFF officials explained that Dr. Besigye will now focus on mentorship and strategic guidance rather than another direct political contest. They reiterated long-standing criticisms of Uganda’s electoral system, accusing President Museveni of maintaining tight control over the Electoral Commission and manipulating outcomes to retain power.

With Besigye officially out of the running, attention has turned to potential successors. Two names previously floated—Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda—have both distanced themselves from the presidential bid.

Lukwago has remained silent, while Ssemujju openly expressed reluctance to sacrifice his secure parliamentary seat for a presidential race he believes is unwinnable under the current political climate. “It would be a huge financial risk,” he reportedly said.

Adding to speculation, Ssemujju is said to be consolidating his personal future. Reports indicate he recently purchased a commercial property—resembling a shopping arcade—in Bweyogerere for approximately Shs750 million. The building was acquired from the family of former CBS radio presenter Tamale Konde, who relocated to the United States.

With no clear candidate stepping forward and Besigye stepping back, the PFF—and the broader opposition—now face a leadership vacuum at a critical moment. As the 2026 elections approach, questions remain about who, if anyone, will emerge to challenge President Museveni and galvanize public support.

For now, Uganda’s opposition appears fractured, cautious, and in search of a new path forward.