Dr. Wallen Nuwagaba Tumwiine, former FDC flag bearer for Rukungiri Municipality, has publicly expressed deep regret over his long years in the opposition, declaring that the movement lacks clear political direction and is plagued by destructive infighting.

In an interview with Uganda Radio Network, Nuwagaba said he had never questioned his opposition stance until recently, when he concluded that opposition politics has become “worse than NRM.”

“I have been fooled enough for many years and cannot accept to continue the same way,” he stated. “I regret the many years I have spent in opposition… even after breaking away from FDC to form PFF, nothing has changed because infighting has continued.”

Nuwagaba traced his disillusionment to the recently concluded 2026 general elections. He highlighted the irony of PFF party leaders endorsing retired Major General Mugisha Muntu (Alliance for National Transformation – ANT) as presidential candidate, despite previously accusing Muntu of being a “mole” during his FDC days in 2018.

“I regret my energy, time, effort and money opposing what later alone became worse by NRM,” he said.

Nuwagaba first won the FDC flag for the 2021 parliamentary race in Rukungiri Municipality, defeating incumbent Roland Mugume Kagyinda and Ingrid Turinawe in the 2020 primaries.

Kagyinda conceded, but Turinawe ran as an independent.

Both Nuwagaba and Turinawe lost to NRM’s Elias Rutahigwa.

For the 2026 polls, Nuwagaba crossed to the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) — a breakaway from FDC — but failed to secure the party flag, which went to Ingrid Turinawe.

He defied the decision and ran as an independent, only to lose again, this time to NRM’s retired Lieutenant General Henry Tumukunde.

Reflecting on the broader opposition landscape, Nuwagaba called for the abolition of all political parties and a return to the old Movement system based on individual merit.

“This will also reduce on the level of commercialization of politics,” he argued.

His comments come as Rukungiri — long regarded as an opposition stronghold due to its association with retired Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye — shifted dramatically in the 2026 elections.

NRM candidates captured the parliamentary seats for Rujumbura County, Rubabo County, Rukungiri Municipality, and District Woman MP, as well as the District LC5 Chairperson and Municipality Mayor positions.

Nuwagaba’s public disillusionment underscores the deepening fractures within Uganda’s opposition following repeated electoral losses and internal divisions.