Africa-Press – Uganda. The National Unity Platform (NUP) has officially declared that the 19 Lubaga Division councillors who voted for a National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate as Speaker will not be considered for the party’s ticket in the 2026 elections.
This decision, despite pleas for forgiveness from the affected councillors, marks a firm stance by the opposition party on loyalty and party discipline.
NUP Deputy Spokesperson, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, made the announcement during a delegates’ meeting held in Nakawa. He clarified that the councillors, many of whom had sought to return to the party by applying for new NUP cards, would not be granted a chance to rejoin the fold.
Mufumbiro explained that the party had made the decision in line with its commitment to uphold party unity and integrity.
“Many of these councillors who betrayed the party have since come back seeking new party cards. However, after careful deliberation, we have resolved that none of them will be granted another chance within the party,” Mufumbiro remarked. He further emphasised that those who had aligned with the NRM candidate in the contentious Speaker vote, as well as those who had attended meetings in Garuga, would be denied party re-entry.
The Lubaga councillors’ defection to support the NRM candidate for Speaker has sparked a significant rift within NUP, with party leadership opting to take a hardline approach to protect its unity and values.
During the Nakawa meeting, Mufumbiro also took the opportunity to issue a stern warning to aspiring politicians attempting to “buy” NUP party cards for political advantage. He advised such individuals to abandon any thoughts of taking shortcuts, stressing that the party would focus on listening to the will of the people, rather than offering tickets to the highest bidders.
“We will not allow shortcuts. The voice of the people will guide us in selecting our candidates. This party is not for sale,” Mufumbiro declared, underscoring the need for integrity and grassroots support in the party’s decision-making process.
In a major highlight of the Nakawa meeting, NUP members unanimously endorsed Eng. Ronald Balimwezo as the party’s candidate for Lord Mayor in the upcoming elections.
Balimwezo, a seasoned politician and current Member of Parliament for Nakawa East, received overwhelming support from the delegates, who praised his leadership and vision for the city.
Balimwezo, who has been a prominent figure in the opposition, expressed gratitude for the party’s endorsement. He thanked NUP members for their unified decision, which he described as a powerful signal of solidarity within the party.
Balimwezo also encouraged those who had missed out on NUP cards to refrain from engaging in internal conflicts and to focus on party unity as they work towards the 2026 elections.
“I am truly honoured by the trust you have placed in me,” Balimwezo said. “Together, we will bring the change our city deserves. Let us focus on building a united front as we prepare for the challenges ahead.”
The meeting concluded with a show of unity as NUP members signed a petition to express their full support for NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, commonly known as Bobi Wine, in his bid for the presidency in the 2026 elections. The delegates pledged their unwavering commitment to Kyagulanyi’s leadership and vowed to work towards ensuring his victory across the country.
Kyagulanyi’s presidential ambitions were reinforced by the strong endorsement from NUP members in Nakawa, signalling widespread support within the party for his continued leadership as they head into the next election cycle.
As the 2026 elections draw closer, NUP is positioning itself as a formidable opposition force, with a clear emphasis on party loyalty, grassroots engagement, and the need for genuine leadership to secure a better future for Uganda.
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