By KT Reporter
The National Unity Platform (NUP), which has held nine of Kampala City’s 10 parliamentary seats, faces a reality check as campaigns for the 12th Parliament officially kick off today across the country. NUP’s dominance in Kampala is being challenged not only by rival political parties but also by its own members, some of whom have defied party positions to run as independents. Five of the nine seats currently held by NUP are under threat from these independent contenders.
Makindye East and West, which NUP swept in 2021, are now at the center of voter controversy after new nominations. Makindye Division Mayor Ali Mulyanyama Nganda, who had initially sought to contest Makindye West, was instead nominated for Makindye East. Mulyanyama had submitted his forms to NUP’s Election Management Committee (EMC) to represent Makindye West.
However, a week before the release of NUP’s parliamentary candidates, incumbent Derrick Nyeko declared he would not seek re-election, opening the path for Mulyanyama to switch to Makindye East. This sudden change caused uproar, with social media users questioning why someone from Makindye West would represent Makindye East. Some voters have pledged to support musician and TV personality Robert Ssekidde, alias Tuff B, who had expressed interest in the NUP ticket but was instead nominated as an independent.
“I am not defying the party, but this person they sent to us stays in a different constituency. We petitioned EMC but were not listened to. I am standing as an independent not to give our opponents, the NRM, a chance to take the constituency,” Ssekidde said. A similar situation has emerged in Makindye West, where NUP’s candidate Zahara Luyirika, initially interested in the Kampala Woman MP seat, was nominated instead for Makindye West.
Incumbent Allan Ssewanyana and other aspirants, including Farouq Ntenge and political activist David Musiri, felt sidelined. Ssewanyana and Ntenge are now contesting as independents, while Musiri has joined the Democratic Front (DF). “I was betrayed because in 2021 I was convinced not to stand as I was promised the ticket in 2026. Since that promise wasn’t fulfilled, I was approached by many parties and I chose DF,” Musiri said. In Kawempe South, Roy Ssembogo, who missed the NUP ticket in 2021, was again overlooked in favor of Fred Nyanzi, elder brother of NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine. Social media videos show voters questioning Nyanzi’s residency and eligibility.
“I want to be clear, I am not standing against Fred Nyanzi, but he is standing against me. He has left his constituency and come to contest where he doesn’t reside. I am standing because it is the constituency I am supposed to represent,” Ssembogo said. In Lubaga South, incumbent Alloysius Mukasa lost the NUP ticket to Eugenia Nassolo but is running independently, citing voter support.
“The voters trust me so much and they still want me as their MP. I am going to win this constituency again and afterwards I will show the party that they gave the ticket to the wrong person,” Mukasa said. Outside independent candidates, rival parties have also fielded strong contenders. In Kampala Central, NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya faces Minister for Kampala Minsa Kabanda, who says residents know her leadership and will vote for her.
“The voters know me as a good servant, and the gap they have been having will be bridged by my leadership. I will serve without feeling pity for myself. I will lobby for my voters while working with the government. I will win with God’s grace,” Kabanda said. Other contests include NUP Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi versus NRM’s Anderson Burora in Nakawa West, and NUP Deputy Spokesperson Waiswa Mufumbiro versus NRM’s Fred Ruhindi and NUP defector Winfred Nakandi on a DF ticket in Nakawa East. As campaigns begin, questions remain over whether NUP will retain its nine Kampala seats, win the 10th, or see defections and independent candidacies erode its stronghold.
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