Ugandans tuned in in record numbers on Sunday night as NTV Uganda hosted the first major presidential debate of the 2026 election season, drawing over one million online viewers. The debate brought together top opposition contenders, who engaged in spirited exchanges on corruption, collapsing infrastructure, judicial independence, national debt, social media restrictions, and the country’s soaring youth unemployment.
NUP president HE. Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, opened the night with a pointed jab at tyrant Yoweri Museveni, who was notably absent. “This is a forward-looking conversation,” he remarked, “and clearly, the future does not include him.”
Other candidates, including FDC’s Nathan Nandala Mafabi and Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) president Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, pressed for accountability and deeper structural reforms. They criticised what they termed a culture of impunity and mismanagement in government institutions.
The NRM camp issued a brief statement citing a “scheduling conflict” as the reason for military dictator Museveni’s no-show, an explanation that drew skepticism online and on the debate floor.
Throughout the night, each candidate outlined their vision for addressing Uganda’s economic challenges, pledging to restore public trust, revive growth, and create opportunities for millions of unemployed young people.
The debate provided Ugandans with one of the clearest comparisons yet of the alternative leadership options ahead of the 2026 polls, setting the tone for what is expected to be one of the most closely watched elections in recent years.
By Mbalire Brian Kisuule II
(Your Daily Friend)
