The National Unity Platform (NUP) has delayed the announcement of its vetted candidates for the upcoming 2026 general elections, citing fears of potential defections to rival political parties.
Speaking at a press briefing held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the party’s headquarters in Makerere Kavule, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya revealed that the party’s Election Management Committee (EMC) was instructed to withhold the list of official flag bearers particularly for parliamentary positions as a strategic move to prevent disappointed candidates from defecting at the last minute.
“We have ordered the EMC to delay the vetting and announcement of flag bearers, especially for Members of Parliament, so that those not given the card find it hard to join other political parties at the last minute,” Rubongoya said.
The decision, however, has sparked internal criticism from within the party ranks, with several NUP aspirants accusing the leadership of undermining the democratic values it publicly champions.
Nakaseke South Member of Parliament (MP), Paul Lutamaguzi Ssemakula, who recently crossed over to NUP from the Democratic Party (DP), criticized the move as unfair and self-serving. He argued that party leaders who are assured of tickets lack the urgency and uncertainty that other aspirants face.
“I came from DP, and I’m still welcome in my former party. The EMC should announce the flag bearers early so that if I’m not given the card, I can go back and contest on the DP ticket,” Lutamaguzi said.
Timothy Batuwa, the MP for Jinja South West and a former member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), echoed similar sentiments. He noted that the delay hampers candidates’ ability to mobilize and campaign effectively.
“In my constituency, I’m ready to stand on any ticket. If I’m not given the NUP card, I can return to FDC or contest as an independent. But we need to know in time so we can plan properly,” Batuwa stated.
In a related development, NUP EMC Chairperson Harriet Chemutai announced during a separate media briefing on August 15, 2025, that the vetting process for parliamentary candidates had officially been extended.
Originally scheduled to conclude in mid-August, the new vetting period will run from September 15 to September 22, 2025, effectively shortening the window for any candidate to defect or seek nomination under another party.
This postponement is widely perceived as a calculated strategy to consolidate loyalty within the party and maintain control over its electoral process.
However, it has also raised questions about transparency and the party’s commitment to democratic inclusivity.
Views: 1
