A growing number of prominent National Unity Platform (NUP) politicians have decided to contest as independents after being denied the party’s nomination cards, a move that has sparked new debate within Uganda’s leading opposition party.
The list includes several sitting and former Members of Parliament, district leaders, and mayors who accuse the NUP vetting committee of bias and favoritism. Many claim they were unfairly sidelined despite commanding strong grassroots support.
MPS DEFY PARTY DECISION
Among the biggest names to go independent is Hon. Medard Lubega Ssegona, the Busiro East legislator, who lost the party flag to singer Mathias Walukaaga. Ssegona insists that the process was “deeply compromised” and ignored the will of his constituents.
In Mityana, Hon. Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa—the outgoing Woman MP—was dropped for Proscovia Nabbosa, prompting her to also run as an independent.
Hon. Allan Ssewanyana, a long-serving MP for Makindye West, was replaced by Zaharah Luyirika, while Aloysius Mukasa of Rubaga South lost his slot to Euginia Nassolo. Both have vowed to stand as independents, arguing that “real support lies with the people, not party headquarters.”
In Mukono, Hon. Hanifah Nabukeera, previously the Woman MP, shifted her focus to Mukono Municipality after losing the NUP ticket—where she now faces off with Betty Nambooze.
Former Wakiso District chairperson Matia Lwanga Bwanika also joined the list, after being denied the Busiro South seat, which was given to Charles Matovu.
Francis Katabazi (Kalungu), Angella Kyebakutika (Jinja East), and Roy Ssemboga (Kawempe South) have similarly chosen the independent route after missing out on their preferred constituencies.
FORMER MAYORS, COUNCIL LEADERS, AND LOCAL INFLUENCERS
Beyond the MPs, a number of influential local politicians have also rebelled.
Former Kasangati mayor Tom Muwonge was dropped in favor of Nkunyingi Muwadda, while Peter Alton Kassolo, ex-mayor of Jinja City, saw his slot handed to Kirunda.
In Makindye East, Tuff B (Ssekidde Robert) and David Musiri both lost to Ali Mulyanyama and Zaharah Luyirika, respectively. Rubaga South’s Mugga Adam Swift, who once made headlines for withdrawing his ambulance from party service after being denied a card, is also standing on his own ticket.
In Busoga, Bamu Lulenzi, a former Iganga Municipality mayor, was among three regional NUP winners left out during nominations. Abbey Kikomeko from Busiro South and Nalubega Fausta Bitaano of Mityana are also running independently.
OTHERS JOIN THE INDEPENDENT WAVE
Other names in the growing list include Nakandi Winifred, who defected to Mathias Mpuuga’s Democratic Front and is now contesting in Nakawa East; Bakaluba Mukasa, the former Mukono LCV boss now eyeing Parliament; and Sauda Madada, who chose to defy the party directive altogether.
NUP RULES AND THE BROADER CONTEXT
According to NUP’s constitution, any member who contests as an independent after being denied the party card automatically ceases to be a member. However, critics argue that this rule suppresses internal democracy and alienates popular figures.
Party president Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) has previously accused such politicians of “working for Museveni,” but many of the affected leaders insist they remain loyal to the struggle for change—just not to what they describe as “unfair party practices.”
HOW NRM HANDLES ITS OWN
Interestingly, the ruling NRM has also faced a wave of independent candidates. Over 200 members were denied cards in the last cycle, yet President Museveni often allows them to stand independently.
A notable case was Vice President Jessica Alupo, who lost her NRM primary in 2021 but went on to win as an independent and was later appointed VP.
Observers say this difference in approach reflects contrasting philosophies within Uganda’s political parties—whereas NUP enforces loyalty to its card, the NRM tolerates internal competition as long as candidates back the broader party agenda.
