KAMPALA — Opposition leader Mugisha Muntu has pledged to reinstate presidential term limits if elected in 2026, arguing that Uganda’s history of political instability stems from leaders who cling to power indefinitely.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) 2026 manifesto in Kampala, Muntu said the country has never experienced a democratic transition since independence in 1962.
“Without reinstating Presidential Term Limits, we cannot expect a peaceful leadership transition at all,” the manifesto declares.
“A maximum of two five-year terms is sufficient for one to exhaust what they want to do through the office of the President. There will be no need for a leader to linger after completing the two terms.”
Tackling Uganda’s Culture of Fear
Muntu, a retired army commander who once served under President Yoweri Museveni, said ANT aims to end the culture of fear among leaders about life after office.
“We are committed to managing a peaceful transition that guarantees the safety of persons, property, and our collective destiny,” he said.
“We are a team of leaders with a track record of honesty, hard work, and integrity — putting country before self as the only reliable way to secure the future of all.”
The manifesto frames term limits as a safeguard against Uganda’s history of chaotic exits, exile, and repression under former presidents.
“When such issues can be predicted, there is certainty and hope. The ANT will systematically anchor and manage the building of such a culture in Uganda,” it reads.
Promises of Accountability and Efficient Governance
ANT also pledged to streamline the public sector by reviewing ministries and agencies, cutting duplication, and removing “fat, exaggerated entities” created to reward political loyalty.
The party plans to build lean, efficient service delivery mechanisms that prioritize citizens over political favors.
On national unity, ANT proposed elevating Kiswahili as a common language to strengthen East African integration and foster cohesion across Uganda.
Muntu also promised leadership training for youth and women, ensuring that no single individual becomes the guarantor of Uganda’s national legacy.
“I bring a track record of honesty, hard work, and clean management of public affairs,” Muntu said.
“A trust bestowed on me and this manifesto will fast-track us towards the change we can all believe in.”
The Term Limits Context
Uganda’s presidential term limits were scrapped in 2005, and the age cap was lifted in 2017, enabling Museveni — in power since 1986 — to extend his rule.
ANT’s call to restore the two-term, five-year limit directly challenges the current system and positions Muntu as a champion of predictable, democratic transitions.
“We will ensure a pool of credible leaders for the country, and Ugandans will start to see peaceful change of leadership at predictable intervals as normal,” the manifesto concludes.
✨ Bottom Line: Muntu’s pledge to restore presidential term limits is a bold challenge to Uganda’s decades-long power status quo. By linking term limits to stability, accountability, and youth empowerment, ANT positions itself as a party committed to democratic predictability and disciplined governance ahead of the 2026 elections.
