Africa-Press – Uganda. Former Chief Spy and Political Analyst Charles Rwomushana has raised alarm over the credibility of the National Unity Platform (NUP) vetting exercise, warning that the party risks setting a dangerous precedent if it fails to uphold transparency and fairness in its internal processes.
Speaking during NBS Barometer on Tuesday night, Rwomushana cast doubt on the party’s ability to conduct a thorough and credible selection of parliamentary candidates within the given time frame.
“They don’t have candidates. We have over 400 MPs. How can you vet over 1,000 candidates in just seven days, and also visit more than 500 constituencies to check their ground support? That’s impossible,” he said.
Rwomushana’s remarks come as NUP continues the vetting of aspirants seeking to contest for parliamentary seats under the party ticket. According to party officials, the assessment criteria give vetting performance a weight of 40 per cent and grassroots support 60 per cent.
Former Kawempe North Member of Parliament Latif Ssebagala Ssengendo has also weighed in, urging the party to draw lessons from past mistakes in the vetting of local government candidates.
“All the mistakes that occurred in the NUP vetting process for local government candidates should serve as a lesson as NUP begins vetting MP aspirants,” Ssebagala said.
During the vetting process for local governments, many aspirants after being denied party tickets, have either joined rival parties such as the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Common Man’s Party (CMP), and the Democratic Front (DF) or declared intentions to run independently citing irregularities within the party’s internal system such as favouritism, bias, and handpicking candidates.
The party secretariat continues to deny such claims, insisting that its processes are impartial and aimed at fronting the most suitable contenders.
Ssebagala, who is contesting as an independent candidate for Kawempe Division Mayor after failing to secure the party flag, maintains he is still a loyal NUP member and continues to rally behind party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, but choose to run independently due to failure from party officials in keeping the ideals of people power.
As the party navigates its vetting process amid growing scrutiny, analysts warn that any perception of unfairness could erode confidence among its supporters and candidates; possibly causing the party to lose some seats in previously dominated areas.
Source: Nilepost News
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