With six days left to the presidential election, Common Man's Party (CMP) president and 2026 presidential candidate Mubarak Munyagwa says no contender is likely to secure the required number of votes to be declared winner.
In a one-on-one interview with NBSTV, Munyagwa said findings from his countrywide campaign engagements and internal research point to widespread voter apathy, driven by growing public frustration with Uganda's electoral processes.
"From what I observed as I moved across the country, many Ugandans have lost interest in elections. People feel the outcome will not change," Munyagwa said.
He said that although he has physically campaigned in 89 districts, financial limitations have constrained his reach, forcing him to increasingly rely on digital platforms and broadcast media to communicate with voters.
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"I may not reach every part of Uganda physically, but I will use television and online platforms to speak to voters where I cannot go," he said.
Munyagwa acknowledged that the campaign trail has taken a heavy toll on him both physically and financially.
Two months into the race, he appeared visibly weak during the interview and disclosed that illness disrupted parts of his campaign, further affecting his morale.
"I fell sick, but what I found during my tour was discouraging. Even if elections are held, I don't see any candidate getting the required votes to win," he said.
Describing himself as a revolutionary, Munyagwa predicted a possible election rerun, saying he is already preparing for that scenario and remains confident he will command a significant share of the vote.
According to Munyagwa, surveys conducted by his team indicate that many Ugandans are experiencing election fatigue, while others believe the outcome of the 2026 polls will not differ significantly from the 2021 election.
"Some people tell us openly that voting is pointless because the results are always the same. That perception is killing participation," he said.
He identified limited funding as his biggest campaign challenge, revealing that he has spent more than Shs 2.5 billion campaigning across the 89 districts he has visited so far, largely from his personal resources.
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"The money is simply not enough. I have used my own resources, and they are running out," Munyagwa said.
On the disqualification of some candidates, Munyagwa departed from the position taken by several politicians who have blamed the Electoral Commission.
Instead, he faulted politicians themselves, including members of his own party, for failing to comply with electoral guidelines.
"Many politicians are careless. They don't follow procedures and then blame the Electoral Commission. More disqualifications may still happen," he warned.
Despite the challenges, Munyagwa said he is committed to protecting his vote and that of his party, expressing confidence that the Common Man's Party will secure representation in the next Parliament.
"We shall protect every vote, and I am confident CMP will take at least 18 MPs to the next Parliament," he said.
His remarks come as several presidential candidates struggle to traverse the entire country amid logistical and financial constraints, as they seek to consolidate voter support ahead of the January 15, 2026 presidential election.
