Tumukunde Brands Opposition Leaders ‘Political Chameleons’

Former presidential candidate Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde has criticised Uganda’s opposition leaders, accusing them of inconsistency, lack of sacrifice, and weak ideological grounding—factors he says have significantly undermined their credibility and appeal to voters.

Tumukunde, a former security minister who challenged President Yoweri Museveni in the 2021 general elections, made the remarks during a press briefing at his residence in Rukungiri Municipality. He was reflecting on his political journey and assessing the current state of opposition politics in the country.

Drawing from his experience, Tumukunde said he understands opposition politics better than many of those currently leading it, having spent more than two decades outside government before some of today’s prominent opposition figures emerged.

He argued that opposition politics demands resilience and personal sacrifice—qualities he said are lacking among many current leaders.

“If you don’t have the resilience to sacrifice, you have no story to tell the public,” Tumukunde said, adding that voters can easily distinguish between genuine opposition actors and opportunists.

The former general further alleged that some opposition politicians receive covert support from the government, a situation he said compromises their independence and erodes public trust.

Tumukunde accused several opposition leaders of lacking firm ideological positions, describing them as “political chameleons” who shift their stance depending on circumstances.

In particular, he singled out Democratic Party (DP) president Norbert Mao, claiming that his public rhetoric often masks contradictory political loyalties.

“There is a great singer called Chameleon, so some politicians have turned into political chameleons,” Tumukunde remarked, arguing that such inconsistencies confuse voters and weaken calls for political change.

He warned that mixed messaging within the opposition has made it difficult to present a clear and convincing alternative to the ruling government.

Tumukunde urged Ugandans to critically examine opposition promises, saying many opposition parties and leaders lack the seriousness and capacity to make the sacrifices required to deliver meaningful political transformation.

He concluded by calling on political actors to treat politics as a serious public service rather than a tool for personal gain.

Noting that Rukungiri has historically been regarded as an opposition stronghold, Tumukunde stressed that leaders seeking support in the area must present clear, principled, and substantive messages to earn public trust.