Kawempe North: NUP Urges Supporters to Avoid Party Attire on Polling Day

The leadership of the National Unity Platform (NUP) has advised its supporters in Kawempe North against wearing party attire on Election Day, which is scheduled for Thursday, March 13.

 

NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya made the call during the party’s final rally for their candidate, Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi, on Wednesday evening at Komamboga playgrounds.

 

Rubongoya alleged that the state has devised a plan to infiltrate polling stations with hired individuals dressed in NUP party colors to instigate chaos and later blame the party for election-related violence. 

 

“We urge you, our people, not to wear our attire on the day of the elections. They have our T-shirts and berets, which they took when they raided our offices. They want to bring people who will mix with you and cause chaos so that they can say these are our people,” Rubongoya said.

 

Earlier in the day, NUP flag bearer Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi was forced to change his final rally venue from Bwaise to Komambogo Playground. 

 

The Electoral Commission raised concerns that his rally in Bwaise could clash with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s convoy, as he was also campaigning for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Faridah Nambi, at Kawempe Mbogo Grounds.

 

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Joel Senyonyi used the rally to urge NUP supporters to remain peaceful on Election Day. He cited the party’s willingness to relocate its rally as a sign of its commitment to a peaceful process.

 

Despite facing police interference earlier in the day while heading to his final rally, Nalukoola encouraged his supporters to stand firm and protect their victory in the by-election. 

 

NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu also urged supporters not to wear party colors on Election Day to avoid being targeted by individuals allegedly plotting violence.

 

“From today, hide your uniform. Let us walk as civilians because they want to bring people who will cause violence and then arrest our people. Use only your phones—record everything, cast your vote, and remain there,” Kyagulanyi told supporters.

 

Kawempe North voters will go to the polls to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant following the passing of NUP’s Muhammad Ssegirinya earlier this year