Africa-Press – Uganda. The National Unity Platform (NUP) on Tuesday officially launched its campaign strategy for the Teso sub-region, unveiling key aspirants for parliamentary and local government positions, as well as reaffirming Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu as the party’s presidential flag bearer for the 2026 elections.
The event, held at the NUP Secretariat in Kampala, attracted hundreds of supporters, youth activists, regional mobilisers, and media from across the country. It marked a major milestone in NUP’s electoral mobilisation, signaling the party’s growing influence in Eastern Uganda.
In his keynote address, Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, delivered a blistering critique of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), condemning the government’s failure to uphold justice, equality, and accountability.
“The mission before us is bigger than politics,” Kyagulanyi declared. “It is about justice, equity, and restoring the dignity of our people. We must reject the politics of division, stop the cheap infighting, and unite around a shared dream of a better Uganda. We are not fighting individuals; we are dismantling a system that has failed our generation.”
Among the new aspirants introduced was Emuk Benjamen who seeks to represent Bukedea County on the NUP flag in parliament.
Emuk, a journalist-turned-public relations executive, has emerged as a rising voice for transformation in the Teso sub-region. Drawing from personal experience, he spoke passionately about the community’s longstanding challenges.
“My interest in representing Bukedea County in Parliament is driven by purpose, passion, and a personal commitment to see my community rise beyond its limitations,” Emuk stated.
He recounted his grassroots engagement across Bukedea’s farming villages, schools, and health centres, stressing that leadership should be about lived experience and commitment to service. “I’ve listened to farmers, mothers, teachers, and the youth. I understand their pain, but more importantly, I know their unrealised potential.”
Emuk holds a diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from Kampala International University and previously worked with ChimPreports, Kampala Sqoop, and later in PR at Fireworks Advertising under Brainchild BCW Africa, where he managed major brands like Airtel Uganda and the MasterCard Foundation. His transition from media to politics, he said, is driven by a desire to move beyond storytelling to policy change.
“While others made politics their comfort zone, I made people my priority. Now, I want to do more than just report the issues—I want to solve them.”
Former Kapelebyong County MP Julius Ocen was also unveiled as a returning NUP candidate, using the occasion to demand accountability over the long-delayed war compensation for victims of the LRA insurgency and cattle rustling in the Teso sub-region.
“Our people suffered. Their livestock was stolen, families displaced, land ravaged,” Ocen said. “Government promised compensation, but the process has been hijacked by regime agents. Real victims have been sidelined and silenced. We are demanding justice—not selective payments, not ghost beneficiaries, but justice for the true claimants.”
The launch also introduced Mercy Marion Alupo as NUP’s Woman MP aspirant for Bukedea District. Alupo delivered a rallying call for generational change, denouncing systemic corruption and oppression.
“This isn’t just about replacing faces—it’s about dismantling systems that have kept our people down,” Alupo said. “We choose service over selfishness, truth over intimidation, and unity over tribalism. It’s time to liberate Bukedea, Teso, and Uganda.”
The day’s events reflected a growing appetite for opposition voices in the Teso sub-region, a region where the ruling party has long held dominance. The presence of locally grounded, passionate leaders like Emuk and Alupo signals a new wave of political engagement rooted in community service and youth empowerment.
NUP’s strategy for the region is anchored on inclusive development, access to quality education and healthcare, agricultural transformation, and justice for war-affected populations. As the country looks ahead to the 2026 general elections, the party’s leadership emphasised unity, grassroots mobilisation, and national renewal.
“The time for change is now,” Kyagulanyi said, echoing the day’s most resounding message. “Uganda deserves better—and we must be the ones to deliver it.”
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