Deputy spokesperson of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Waiswa Mufumbiro, is facing a major political setback after his arrest on political charges, casting serious doubt on his chances of contesting for the Nakawa East parliamentary seat in the 2026 elections.
Reports indicate that the State intends to keep Mufumbiro locked up for a minimum of three years, which could automatically knock him out of the nominations scheduled for October 2025.
The development has left NUP’s legal team in panic. Sources reveal that the party is weighing the option of teaming up with senior lawyers such as Erias Lukwago and Eron Kiiza to challenge the charges. Party officials are also considering borrowing a strategy once used by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in 2006, when Col. Kizza Besigye was nominated while in Luzira Prison.
Before being remanded, Mufumbiro claimed that his arrest was politically engineered and funded by his rival, Hon. Michael Kabaziguruka, a former Nakawa East MP. Kabaziguruka, who struggled with his own legal battles during his term, has reportedly expressed interest in reclaiming the seat.
Analysts argue that Mufumbiro’s chances are now “absolutely minimal”, given the timing of the arrest and the lengthy legal process ahead. With elections only months away, his absence on the campaign trail could severely weaken his influence in Nakawa East.
For NUP, the development is another reminder of the uphill battle opposition candidates face as they prepare for the 2026 general elections.
