Uganda: UFDO, Revolutionary People’s Party Seal Merger, Front Frank Bulira Kabinga as 2026 Presidential Flag Bearer

Frank Bulira Kabinga

Source: Uganda Today

 In a shift within Uganda’s opposition political environment, the Uganda Federal Democratic Organisation (UFDO), formerly led by the late cardiologist and political activist Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi, has merged with the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Merger Agreement Signed

The new development, which Uganda Today has exclusively learned of, was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between UFDO’s current leader, Frank Bulira Kabinga, and RPP’s promoter, Joshua Clinton Kaswabuli Salongo.

The announcement was made on August 29, 2025, at the party’s headquarters along Namirembe Road in Kampala.

Kabinga Declared Flag Bearer

According to the agreement, UFDO has resolved to fold its structures into the Revolutionary People’s Party and will front Frank Bulira Kabinga as the joint presidential candidate for the 2026 elections under the RPP ticket.

Speaking shortly after collecting presidential nomination forms, Kabinga emphasized the federalist vision shared by both parties:

“We are bound by a common vision that Uganda can only achieve meaningful transformation under a federal arrangement of governance. This is the dream our late leader Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi nurtured, and today, we are taking it forward,” Kabinga declared.

Kaswabuli Explains Choice

On his part, Kaswabuli defended the decision to field Kabinga as the joint flag bearer, citing his political grooming under Dr. Kiyingi:

“Frank Bulira Kabinga was a close mentee of the late Dr. Kiyingi, who believed Uganda’s future lies in federalism. It is only fitting that he leads this struggle under the Revolutionary People’s Party,” Kaswabuli told journalists.

RPP Launches Nomination Drive

The merger boosts the organizational strength of the RPP as it prepares to meet electoral requirements ahead of the 2026 polls. The party has already embarked on collecting secondment signatures from across Uganda’s districts, a critical step toward securing Kabinga’s official nomination as a presidential candidate.

Analysts Weigh In

Political analysts say the alliance underscores a growing trend among smaller opposition parties to consolidate their efforts in order to mount a stronger challenge against the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in 2026.

However, whether the UFDO–RPP merger will generate sufficient nationwide traction remains to be seen. Still, for Kabinga and Kaswabuli, the union represents a symbolic continuation of Dr. Kiyingi’s federalist vision — one they believe could redefine Uganda’s political architecture if embraced by the electorate.

Profile: Who is Frank Bulira Kabinga?

As Uganda’s opposition space braces for the 2026 presidential elections, the name Frank Bulira Kabinga has begun to take center stage. Recently fronted as the joint presidential flag bearer under the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) following its merger with the Uganda Federal Democratic Organisation (UFDO), Kabinga’s political journey traces directly to the federalist ideals of the late Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi.

Frank Bulira Kabinga, display EC presidential nomination forms after collecting them.[/caption]

Early Life and Background

Kabinga’s personal life, begins from Luweero district where he hails. He is a grandson of Kabinga Balwana of Kiwanguzi Kikyuusa sub-county.

Insiders describe him as a resilient grassroots mobiliser with strong connections to reformist movements. He rose to prominence in the political arena through the UFDO, a party established by Dr. Kiyingi, a renowned Ugandan cardiologist-turned-political activist who championed the cause of federal governance.