Ex-Kawempe South MP Munyagwa declares presidential bid

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Former Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa aka Mugati Gwa Bata (buttered bread) has announced his 2026 presidential bid after being sworn in as the leader of the Common Man’s Party, formerly the Uganda Economic Party.

“History has a notorious habit of repeating itself. This conclave here has anointed me to take on the mantle to liberate the common man. I have been in the struggle to liberate the common man for 25 years,” he said.

He made the remarks during the launch of the party at Jacaranda Gardens in Rubaga, Kampala, on Tuesday (July 15). 

He later confirmed to the New Vision Online that he will run for the country’s highest office.

“Yes, I will contest,” Munyagwa, who served as Kawempe division mayor before joining Parliament in 2016, said when contacted.

His rebranded party, which was initially registered on December 14, 2004, and is yet to be gazetted by the Electoral Commission, has been dormant.

Its official symbol is Lusaniya (Luganda word for platter), which its leaders say symbolises the principle of equality, where everyone benefits from the same system.

Some of the party’s notable leaders include the former Busoga region National Unity Platform party co-ordinator Moses Bigirwa, who was sworn in as secretary general, and former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Kawempe North parliamentary candidate Muhamood Mutazindwa aka Sweet Cake.

They later shared a single platter of rice while being captured on camera.