Mpuuga takes oath, unveils his trusted team
His tenure started on Friday, July 4, on the same day, the party’s national executive committee members were sworn in at the headquarters on Namirembe Bishop Road in Kampala.
The Democratic Front (DF) president Mathias Mpuuga takes an oath during the National Eexecutive Committee (NEC) swearing ceremony at the party headquarters in Rubaga, Kampala on July 4, 2025. (Photo by Francis Emorut)
By Umaru Kashaka
Journalists @New Vision
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Nyendo-Mukungwe Division MP Mathias Mpuuga has been sworn in as the founding president of the newly formed Democratic Front (DF) party ahead of the 2026 general election.
His tenure started on Friday, July 4, on the same day, the party’s national executive committee members were sworn in at the headquarters on Namirembe Bishop Road in Kampala.
The Democratic Front (DF) women leaders taking oath during the National Eexecutive Committee (NEC) swearing ceremony at the party headquaters in Rubaga, Kampala on July 4, 2025. (Photo by Francis Emorut)
The ceremony followed last week’s party launch and delegates’ conference in Masaka City, where several leaders were elected to various positions.
Holding a Bible in his right hand, Mpuuga said, “I do hereby solemnly swear that I shall faithfully, truthfully and diligently discharge the duties of my office in full adherence to the constitution, principles and values of the Democratic Front.”
He broke away from the main opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), which he helped found in July 2020, to form a new party.
He was sworn in by city lawyer Sulaiman Kakaire and promised to promote the “radical transformation of Uganda’ into a democratic and just society while desisting from all forms of authoritarianism, militarism, corruption and exploitation.
The Democratic Front (DF) vice president Buganda Haji Abdul Sentongo takes an oath during the National Eexecutive Committee (NEC) swearing ceremony at the party headquaters in Rubaga, Kampala on July 4, 2025. (Photo by Francis Emorut)
“I commit myself to building institutions that serve the people, not power. I shall refrain from advancing personal, sectarian, ethnic, religious or class interests contrary to the collective will and vision of the party,” he stated.
Mpuuga also vowed to uphold the principle of internal democracy and engage in principled ideological debate in pursuit of the party’s objectives.
Former independent presidential candidate Samuel Lubega Mukaaku was sworn in as national party chairman.
“I want to thank the Rt. Hon. Mpuuga for steering the boat to achieve its purpose. Today, we are going to witness the swearing-in of a great team that was elected in the Masaka delegates’ conference,” he said.
Other leaders that were sworn in include former Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante (spokesperson), Kimaanya-Kabonera Division MP Abed Bwanika (treasurer) and former Soroti City chairperson of the Uganda People’s Congress Pascal Amuriat (deputy president).
The Democratic Front (DF) National Executive Committee (NEC) members after the swearing in ceremony at the party headquaters in Rubaga, Kampala on July 4, 2025. (Photo by Francis Emorut)
Others were Masaka City Woman MP Juliet Kakande (Women’s League chairperson), former Justice Forum party spokesperson Abdulnoor Ssentongo Kyamundu (deputy president for the Buganda region) and Mukono Central Division speaker Allan Mawanda, (secretary for post-conflicts and reconstruction).
The little-known sworn-in leaders are John Mukisa (deputy national treasurer), Zahara Nalubyayi (secretary for the presidency) and Gilbert Businge (head of institutions).
The Electoral Commission roadmap says the next general election will take place on January 12 and February 9, 2026, but candidates for presidential, parliamentary and local government seats will be nominated from June to October 2025.