ANT presidential candidate Muntu explains ‘spy’ allegations

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On one or two occasions, Maj. Gen. (rtd) Mugisha Muntu, the presidential candidate of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), has been accused of being a mole. Yet with his characteristic calm, he consistently refutes the allegations and often takes time to explain himself, hoping the matter can finally be put to rest.

However, the claims continue to resurface. One such moment occurred during his campaign trail in Moyo District, when a resident openly questioned him during a rally.

“You left FDC claiming that they did not have structures, and you formed ANT, yet you have never launched your office in our district. Why are you fighting hard to stop majority opposition leaders from other parties from challenging Museveni, like Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, who has the majority? What are you doing in these elections?” asked Robert Melio, a resident of Pameri Parish in Metu sub-county.

Muntu, maintaining his calm demeanour, responded, “We failed to agree on a joint opposition candidate because we have different strategies to tackle Uganda’s problems. There are those who want to remove President Museveni as a person, but for me, I want to fight the issues that made all the other nine presidents get ‘drunk’ with absolute authority.”

While briefing journalists on Friday, December 12, 2025, in Jinja City, Muntu recalled that even during their National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war days in the 1980s, he was labelled a mole accused of spying for the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).

“Obote buried my father in 1982 when I was in the bush as one of the fighters under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Some top commanders started calling me a spy for Muwanga and President Obote, until we fought and won the war together without any problem,” he said.

“Wherever I have gone, people have been asking me to clarify whether I have been playing a spying role for President Museveni in the opposition, even in the parties I have belonged to,” he added.

Smear campaigns

Lt. (rtd) Hannington Bashakana says Muntu has long battled smear campaigns and blackmail, which he has addressed directly before Ugandans who often take his calmness for granted.

“During his time in FDC, Muntu faced allegations of spying for President Museveni, sparking questions about his loyalty and intentions as a presidential candidate. Yet he is a true nationalist and a disciplined army officer whose track record should convince any Ugandan looking for trusted change,” Bashakana noted.

‘Reject deceptive politics’

On most of his campaign rallies, Muntu has been consistent with his message to Ugandans that they should reject deceptive politics, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in national leadership.

“I am not a spy. I am a Ugandan who wants to serve my country. Ugandans do not have to love me, but all I ask is that they trust me and vote for me. I have the capacity and experience to manage security services, revive the collapsed economy, end corruption, and invest in Ugandans so we can achieve proper transformation and shared prosperity,” he said.

Despite these persistent accusations, Muntu remains focused on his campaign message, combating corruption, poverty, and inequality, while championing peaceful transition and respect for democratic institutions.