By Wamala Sipirian
Published: September 19, 2026
Former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Mathias Mpuuga says his time outside Parliament has given him an opportunity to reconnect with his family and reflect on life beyond the political arena.
Speaking on NBS Frontline on Thursday, Mpuuga described his current period away from Parliament as a “sabbatical” and said he was enjoying spending time with his family.
“Sometimes a sabbatical is good. I’m enjoying time with family. Being out of Parliament is never a death sentence,” Mpuuga said.
Mpuuga lost the Nyendo-Mukungwe Division parliamentary seat in the January 2026 elections to National Unity Platform candidate Gyaviira Lubowa Ssebina. He had represented the constituency since 2021, after previously serving as the Member of Parliament for Masaka Municipality.
The election defeat ended Mpuuga’s representation in Parliament after about 15 years.
Mpuuga’s Political Career
Mpuuga served as Leader of the Opposition from 2021 until January 2024, when he was replaced by Joel Ssenyonyi. He also served as a Parliamentary Commissioner during the 11th Parliament.
His departure from the National Unity Platform (NUP) was followed by the formation of the Democratic Front (DF), with Mpuuga becoming the party’s president.
The DF participated in the 2026 general elections but did not win a parliamentary seat despite fielding 88 candidates across the country, according to the source report.
Mpuuga has continued to participate in national political discussions since the elections. He and the DF rejected the election results in January, citing what the party described as irregularities in the electoral process. He has also questioned the handling of election petitions arising from the 2026 elections.
In a separate appearance on NBS Frontline, Mpuuga criticised delays in hearing election petitions, arguing that electoral disputes should be resolved closer to the time of the election.
Focus on Family
For now, Mpuuga says he is focused on spending time with his family while remaining active in public discussions.
His description of his period outside Parliament as a “sabbatical” indicates that he views his absence from the House as a period away from parliamentary office rather than an announcement that he has permanently left public life.
Sources
- Nile Post