Citing critical party meetings, ANT's Muntu skips Nakasongola, Kiryandongo rallies
Supporters who had gathered at Nakasongola town council were later informed through Muntu’s official campaign agent that the ANT leader would resume his campaign activities on Wednesday (January 7) in Hoima city, where he is expected to conclude his tour of the Bunyoro sub-region.
Muntu’s campaign has in recent months faced a number of challenges, including financial constraints, with the former army commander publicly admitting difficulties in building party structures on the ground. (Credit: Isaac Nuwagaba)
The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. (rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu on Tuesday (January 6) failed to appear for scheduled campaign rallies in Nakasongola and Kiryandongo districts, citing impromptu party engagements.
The rallies, which were expected to draw large crowds, were left in limbo after Muntu did not turn up, leaving supporters disappointed and political observers questioning the circumstances surrounding his absence.
Nelson Agaba, the ANT national youth coordinator and official campaign agent, moved to calm supporters following Muntu’s no-show.
“There is no cause for alarm. Gen. Muntu has been engaged in a series of meetings with various party candidates over the campaign challenges they have faced, with only eight (9) days remaining to end the campaign trail,” he said when contacted.
Nelson Agaba, the ANT national youth coordinator and official campaign agent, moved to calm supporters following Muntu’s no-show. (All Photos by Isaac Nuwagaba)
Supporters who had gathered at Nakasongola town council were later informed through Muntu’s official campaign agent that the ANT leader would resume his campaign activities on Wednesday (January 7) in Hoima city, where he is expected to conclude his tour of the Bunyoro sub-region.
“We shall be in Hoima city tomorrow, but we have notified our coordinators in their respective areas to continue mobilising for tomorrow,” Agaba added.
Muntu’s campaign has in recent months faced a number of challenges, including financial constraints, with the former army commander publicly admitting difficulties in building party structures on the ground.
He has also repeatedly cited the pervasive influence of money in Ugandan politics as a major obstacle.
In Nakasongola and Kiryandongo, his absence appeared to further dampen enthusiasm among supporters, with some expressing concern that his campaign messages on fighting corruption and improving social services were failing to gain traction.
ANT entered a political cooperation agreement with the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) in July 2025, aimed at strengthening opposition unity ahead of the 2026 general election.
However, the alliance has since attracted scrutiny, with reports in October 2025 suggesting that PFF did not fully support Muntu’s campaign activities, raising questions about the durability of the partnership.
There have also been claims that the alliance encountered challenges accessing funding through the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue, fuelling accusations that Muntu’s campaign remains underfunded and poorly coordinated.
Although PFF publicly pledged to back ANT’s presidential candidate in the 2026 elections, its support on the ground has largely been limited to joint campaign appearances, during which Muntu has introduced candidates from both parties. Observers say tangible mobilisation efforts remain limited.
Unlike other presidential candidates who campaign alongside senior party leaders at every rally, Muntu has often appeared with a small entourage drawn from ANT headquarters in Bukoto, Kampala.
Only a handful of senior figures have accompanied him in different regions, including national coordinator Alice Alaso in Teso, West Nile sub-region coordinator Kassiano Wadri, northern region coordinator Phoebe Acan, and women’s league coordinator Ambassador Edith Ssempala in the central region.