By KT Reporter
More Members of Parliament aspiring to be the National Unity Platform-NUP flagbearers in the coming 2026 general election have vowed not to come as independents if not selected by the party’s Election Management Committee.
On Thursday, the vetting process entered its fourth day. Among those who have come out to seek the NUP party ticket include Dr Joel Mirembe Nsubuga, the Secretary General of the Uganda Medical Association is aspiring to represent the people of Mawokota South in Parliament. The constituency is currently held by the FDC deputy President for Buganda, Yusuf Nsibambi.
Nsibambi defeated Miremebe in the 2021 general election. Mirembe was the NUP candidate in that election. Dr Mirembe has been vocal in fighting for the rights and welfare of the doctors in the country. He has appeared several times supporting industrial action whenever doctors have come out to demand one.
The party was vetting aspirants from greater Mpigi, including districts; Mpigi, Gomba and Butambala, among others. Other regions vetted on the same day were Karamoja and Bunyoro.
Speaking to reporters after the vetting, Mirembe noted that he truly understands the health challenges of people in Mawokota South. He said that for over 30 years now, the ruling government has not posted any doctor in Mawokota South simply because the constituency does not have a Health Centre IV, yet in the National Development Plan IV, each constituency is supposed to have one.
Mirembe stated that if he is awarded the party ticket and elected as Member of Parliament for the area, he will lobby for the construction of a Health Centre IV to provide specialised treatment for the people.
Mirembe noted that the vetting process was swift and expressed hope that he would be awarded the party ticket. However, Mirembe did not confirm whether, if not selected, he would support any other candidate. Mirembe is competing for the NUP ticket alongside four other candidates.
Mary Flavia Namulindwa, a media personality who is aspiring for the Gomba East constituency, stated that she joined the race for the NUP ticket to help youths gain skills to earn a living, having already started a technical institute. Namulindwa mentioned that among the four people vying for the party ticket, she believes the Election Management Committee will select her as the best candidate.
She also noted that in case she is not selected as the flag bearer, she will support the selected candidate for the good of the party.
Kisitu Erias Khasim wants to unseat the incumbent Butambala MP, Muwanga Kivumbi, based on his “overstay” in parliament. Muwanga became MP for Butambala in 2012, following a by-election.
The race for the party ticket in Butambala has two contenders. Kisitu argues that Muwanga Kivumbi, who also doubles as the Vice President of the National Unity Platform, should now take on an advisory role and allow younger leaders to take over the development of the constituency.
However, Kisitu pledged to stand behind Muwanga Kivumbi if the Party Election Management Committee does not award him the party ticket.
Godfrey Kayemba Solo, the incumbent MP for Bukomansimbi South, said after the vetting that he wants to continue championing Buganda’s issues in Parliament, as he has done in the past.
Owinyi Daniel from Abim in the Karamoja region is the only person vying for the party ticket in his constituency. He hopes to be elected to Parliament to amplify the voices of young people and address their challenges on the national stage. He also noted that Abim in particular has extremely poor road infrastructure, with not a single tarmacked road in the constituency.
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