President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday hosted a delegation of opposition Members of Parliament at State House Entebbe in a closed-door engagement aimed at addressing political tensions and rebuilding national unity after the January 2026 general elections.
The talks, which were not publicly announced by State House, centered on reconciliation, peace and the need to stabilise the country after a bruising election season that left deep political divisions and widespread public anxiety.
The opposition delegation was led by Mawokota South MP Yusuf Nsibambi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), who said the meeting was driven by concern over rising political temperatures and the long-term impact of post-election unrest on national development.
According to Nsibambi, the issue of political detainees dominated the discussions, with lawmakers urging President Museveni to consider pardons as a confidence-building measure to heal wounds created during the electoral period.
The MPs also expressed concern over the detention of Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, calling on the President to allow an independent and credible inquiry into his case rather than relying on what they described as politically motivated narratives.
Nsibambi defended his decision to engage directly with the President despite criticism from within opposition ranks, arguing that his mandate as an elected leader allows him to speak to any stakeholder in pursuit of peace and the interests of his constituents.
He added that dialogue across political lines remains essential for national cohesion, noting that refusing to engage only entrenches hostility and undermines prospects for lasting stability.
The meeting brought together opposition figures from FDC, the Democratic Party and the People’s Front for Freedom, as well as former legislators, and comes amid sustained calls from civil society and religious leaders for inclusive dialogue to ease tensions and chart a more stable post-election path for the country.
