Tensions are rising within the National Unity Platform (NUP) after a document claiming to show the party’s selected parliamentary flag bearers for Kampala surfaced online, suggesting key figures like Kampala Woman MP Shamim Malende and senior party mobiliser Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu may have lost out.
The unofficial list, widely circulated on social media, contains alleged vetting scores and ground performance ratings for various aspirants.
According to the figures, Nakawa West MP and Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi leads the pack with 38 marks in vetting and 54 in ground performance — positioning him as NUP’s strongest bet in the capital.
Others reportedly topping their respective constituencies include:
- Ssemboga Roy (Kawempe South) – 33 vetting, 56 ground
- Nalukoola Erias Luyimbazi (Kawempe North) – 38 vetting, 52 ground
- Kawalya Abubaker (Lubaga North) – 36 vetting, 50 ground
- Waiswa Mufumbiro (Nakawa East) – 37 vetting, 45 ground
- Musiri David (Makindye West) – 37 vetting, 41 ground
- Zahara Luyirika (Kampala Woman MP) – 34 vetting, 41 ground
- Eugenia Nassolo (Lubaga South) – 34 vetting, 36 ground
- Nyeko Derrick (Makindye East) – 35 vetting, 39 ground
- David Lewis Rubongoya (Kampala Central) – 38 vetting, 35 ground
If taken as accurate, the list suggests losses for several notable figures, including incumbent MP Malende, Makindye West’s Allan Ssewanyana, singer-turned-politician Robert Sekidde alias Tuff B, and Fred Nyanzi, who had been eyeing Kawempe South.
NUP Speaks Out: “Fake, Kindly Ignore”
The party, however, has strongly dismissed the list.
“This is fake, kindly ignore it,” NUP said in a brief social media statement, clarifying that no official list of flag bearers has been released.
As internal competition heats up, the incident underscores the pressure facing the party’s vetting committees and leadership as they work to manage expectations, maintain party unity, and fend off disinformation ahead of the official announcement.
