Africa-Press – Uganda. The National Unity Platform (NUP) has issued a stern warning to party members who choose to run as independents after failing to secure official endorsement, with Chairperson Harriet Chemutai insisting such moves threaten the party’s unity and electoral strength.
Speaking at the vetting of city and municipality mayor aspirants at the party headquarters in Makerere Kavule on August 15, 2025, Chemutai cautioned that independent candidacies would only fragment the opposition vote and give rival parties an advantage.
“A NUP member who will not be given a card is strictly condemned to come back as an independent candidate because it will lead to the division of votes,” she said.
Her message was echoed by Lusada Bosco, an aspirant for the Makindye Division mayoral seat, who endorsed the chairperson’s call for discipline within the party.
“I agree with the Chairperson’s request that anyone who fails to get the party card shouldn’t come back as an independent candidate because it will lead to division of votes, hence other parties will stand a chance to win us,” Bosco said.
Bosco added that party cohesion must take precedence over individual ambitions, warning that defections and parallel campaigns would undermine NUP’s position as the leading opposition party.
Chemutai’s declaration underscores NUP’s efforts to manage internal competition as it prepares for the upcoming elections, amid concerns that independent bids could splinter its voter base.
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