Beyond the big two: Meet the secret power brokers of 2026

Gulu | On September 24, 2025, the Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC) wrapped up its two-day nomination exercise at its Lubowa headquarters confirming eight aspirants for the presidency.

The Commission confirmed eight presidential candidates for the January 2026 election and public attention predictably fell on Yoweri Museveni and Bobi Wine but tucked among them are six contenders who often fly under the radar- Joseph Elton Mabirizi, Robert Kasibante, Mugisha Muntu, Nandala Mafabi, Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga and Frank Bulira Kabinga.

Although, they may lack the mass mobilization of the front-runners, their platforms and networks provide both symbolic and substantive depth to the race.

According to EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, all met the required legal thresholds: citizenship, academic qualifications, nomination fees and support across the country.

Therefore, their inclusion underscores Uganda’s multi-party system but as observers note, only a few appear poised to make more than symbolic interventions.

Bobi Wine, for his part has publicly questioned the sincerity of some lesser-known aspirants.

“Some opposition presidential candidates are fake and planted by the ruling government,” he said shortly after the nominations.

Meet the six: Platforms, reach and potential roles

Here is tndNews’ closer look at who these six are and why they may matter despite their low profile.

Mabirizi, an electrical engineer and Christian leader emphasizes constitutional reform, leaner government and traditional social values and he has pledged to cut the number of ministers within his first 100 days, advocating for a more efficient, morally grounded administration.

Born in Mpigi district, Mabirizi’s networks stem from his church work and long involvement in grassroots faith communities. His reach is national but modest and he is not backed by mass party machinery but his faith-based networks give him some foothold especially among religious conservative Ugandans.

His campaign blends policy and symbolism while he speaks of governance reform, his identity as a Christian leader undergirds his message, appealing to socially conservative voters who feel alienated by more populist or secular candidates.

Mabirizi’s presence may not swing a general election but he could function as a spoiler-particularly among conservative opposition voters and his critique of state size combined with moral appeals may attract voters who want change but are uneasy with more radical or youthful populist forces.

Kasibante, a relatively young entrepreneur and vocational trainer, leads the National Peasants Party (NPP) and his campaign centers on agrarian reform, youth employment and rural empowerment.

He has pledged to protect land rights, guard against illegal evictions and expand access to vocational education. He also promises to reduce government expenditure and streamline political structures including reducing the number of MPs and reevaluating administrative roles such as Resident District Commissioners (RDCs).

Kasibante is from Busujju, Mityana district and has drawn support particularly from rural youth and farming communities with his outreach appearing to be well-organized despite health challenges reported after one rally, he stated that his campaign remains “well-resourced and organized.”

Unlike purely symbolic aspirants, Kasibante aims to be a policy-driven contender and his agenda addresses persistent rural inequalities; hence, he could play a kingmaker role in constituencies with high agrarian populations and his vote share may be significant enough to shape outcomes especially in local-level dynamics.

Muntu is a veteran political figure; a retired army general, former FDC leader and now head of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) with his pitch grounded in institutional reform, rule of law and peaceful power transition.

He frames himself as a disciplined, mature leader who can rebuild governance structures not through populist slogans but steady reform.

Muntu’s long career gives him national recognition while he does not dominate any single region, his reputation as a military man turned reformer appeals to urban voters, civil society actors and those wary of both autocracy and revolutionary rhetoric.

Muntu may not be a front-runner but he could be a bridge for moderate opposition voters who reject both Museveni’s long rule and Bobi Wine’s youthful firebrands.

Therefore, in a fragmented opposition environment, he could also negotiate alliances or act as a kingmaker especially if his vote share remains respectable.

Mafabi, a veteran of Uganda’s opposition brings deep policy chops to the race; he promises to revive cotton farming in northern Uganda, support cooperatives and channel 10% of the national budget into agriculture.

He aims to resurrect the Cooperative Bank to provide credit for farmers and entrepreneurs and to restore institutional trust; and on governance, he calls for integrity, transparency and stronger democratic norms.

Mafabi has long-standing roots in the opposition and enjoys support in regions such as West Nile, where his critiques of economic exclusion resonate and his standing as a former leader of opposition in Parliament gives him gravitas among older and more politically literate voters.

Mafabi’s bid is unlikely to upend the main contest but his technocratic message could draw serious voters dissatisfied with populism or incumbency and he could be a kingmaker, particularly in policy-driven alliances or if other candidates court him for support in a possible second round.

Munyagwa, leading the Common Man’s Party (CMP) markets himself as the authentic voice of the ordinary Ugandans.

Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga, Common Man’s Party (CMP) President addressing a rally.

According to reports, he has made some provocative proposals including replacing Kiswahili with French as a national language to align more closely with Central Africa though this remains a very fringe idea.

He further calls for nationalizing key sectors like health and education and renegotiating Uganda’s terms in regional blocs for the benefit of local industries.

Munyagwa’s base appears grassroots since he previously served as MP for Kawempe South and chairperson of Parliament’s COSASE committee giving him some institutional clout and he claims support in West Nile and urban centers where people feel unrepresented by mainstream parties.

His candidacy is boldly populist and somewhat ideological while he is unlikely to win, he could split votes from both the ruling party and the opposition, especially among voters dissatisfied with the status quo and his left-leaning economic justice platform may force other candidates to address inequality more directly.

Frank Bulira Kabinga of Revolutionary People’s Party.

Bulira leads the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) advocating a revival of federalism and he argues that Uganda’s overly centralized system must give way to regional governance with deeper local autonomy and shared power.

He further prioritizes economic justice, sustainable development and stronger local governance as key to his manifesto.

Bulira’s appeal is mostly ideological and he draws on federalist traditions particularly from regions that feel marginalized under Kampala-centric rule. Though his party is small, his message resonates with voters skeptical of centralized power and desiring structural reform.

Bulira may be more of a symbolic candidate but his presence matters by pushing federalism; he expands the terms of debate beyond who governs to how Uganda should be governed.

Therefore, in a tight race, his vote share may be enough to influence national conversations forcing other candidates to consider decentralization seriously.

As the campaign season unfolds, these six under-the-radar candidates will be key to watch not necessarily because they will win but because they may shape how the story of Uganda’s next chapter is told.

Hence in a climate where many fear elections have become ritual, they offer a reminder that democracy is not just about who wins but about what ideas compete and sometimes, the loudest voices are not always the most impactful.

The 2026 Ugandan presidential race is not just a duopoly between Museveni and Bobi Wine but the presence of six additional candidates each representing different ideologies and constituencies broadens the political field in meaningful ways and whether through policy advocacy, symbolic representation or vote splitting, their bids enrich the contest.