The race for the Kawempe South parliamentary flag under the National Unity Platform (NUP) has taken a dramatic turn, with reports indicating that Chairman Nyanzi’s chances of securing the ticket have significantly dwindled.
According to insider sources, the party’s Electoral Commission is skeptical about Nyanzi’s ability to deliver victory in the constituency, even with the strong political backing of party president Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine. Residents reportedly argue that Nyanzi is disconnected from the area, pointing to past experiences such as that of Kazibwe Bashir, who was accused of abandoning the Kawempe community shortly after winning his seat.
During a recent closed-door meeting involving Hon. Shamim Malende, Hon. Zahara Luyirika, Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi, and other senior party officials, the Kawempe South question came to the table. Party leaders proposed that Hon. Malende shift her political ambitions from Kampala Woman MP to Kawempe South MP, leaving the Kampala Woman slot to Zahara Luyirika.
The reasoning behind this suggestion, according to sources, is that Malende grew up in the Kawempe ghettos and shares cultural and religious ties with the constituency’s large Muslim community. Party strategists believe this background could give her a stronger advantage at the ballot compared to Chairman Nyanzi, who they fear might struggle to win over local voters.
The proposal, however, did not sit well with Malende. Witnesses say she appeared visibly unsettled, losing her usual composure during the meeting. In contrast, Hon. Zahara Luyirika reportedly welcomed the idea with a smile.
It is now emerging that Malende has firmly rejected the idea of contesting in Kawempe South. Sources close to her hint that she may even consider running as an independent candidate if NUP denies her the party flag for Kampala Woman MP.
Party officials, on the other hand, have issued stern warnings, stating that candidates who refuse to cooperate with internal arrangements risk being disqualified altogether, with the possibility of fresh contenders being fronted in their place.
The contest between Malende and Zahara Luyirika appears to be widening. Although Zahara reportedly enjoys financial muscle and the support of some party officials, she lacks strong grassroots networks in Kampala. Additionally, she faces resistance from city leaders such as Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who has openly accused her of being aligned with state interests.
Malende, on the other hand, has surprised many within the party by bouncing back with renewed political energy, despite earlier concerns about her health. Her resilience and popularity on the ground have made it difficult for party leaders to simply replace her, creating friction within the NUP camp.
As the 2026 elections draw closer, NUP finds itself in a delicate balancing act between loyalty, popularity, and strategy. The uncertainty in Kawempe South, coupled with the Kampala Woman MP contest, threatens to expose cracks within the party unless carefully managed.
For now, the big question remains: will NUP be able to rally behind a unified candidate, or will internal divisions hand the advantage to their rivals?
