MP Ssewanyana Remains Defiant, Slams NUP over Makindye West Ticket Snub

Makindye West Member of Parliament Allan Ssewanyana has openly slammed the National Unity Platform (NUP) decision to drop him as the party nominee for Makindye West in the 2026 parliamentary elections, insisting that he remains the rightful flag bearer and the most popular choice for the constituency.

The NUP Election Management Committee (EMC) recently endorsed Zahara Luyirika as the party’s flag bearer for Makindye West, citing her stronger appeal on the ground. The decision has, however, ignited a storm within the party, with Ssewanyana accusing the leadership of betrayal and political manipulation.

Zahara Luyirika had initially expressed interest in contesting for the Kampala Woman MP seat, a race that would have pitted her against incumbent Shamim Malende. However, the NUP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) reassigned her to Makindye West, a move that sidelined the incumbent Ssewanyana.

Addressing his supporters on Wednesday at Nsambya, Ssewanyana questioned the rationale behind the party’s decision to hand the ticket to a candidate who had not even expressed interest in representing Makindye West.

“I became the first NUP MP for Makindye West in 2021, and it was not by mistake. I am a hardworking person who has lived by the party’s values and served my people diligently. I was elected overwhelmingly, and the people still want me to continue,” Sewanyana declared.

Ssewanyana won the 2021 general elections with 18,116 votes, defeating Achilles Lubega (NRM), who garnered 4,358, and Ntege Farouq (Independent), who polled 4,270. The MP says those numbers are evidence of his enduring popularity and connection with the electorate.

In a symbolic show of defiance, Ssewanyana has unveiled a series of campaign posters depicting himself in handcuffs, referencing his detention alongside the late Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya over alleged involvement in the 2021 Masaka machete killings, charges both men long dismissed as politically motivated.

Ssewanyana told his supporters that his imprisonment and subsequent trial deprived his constituents of effective representation, arguing that his persecution was a price for his outspoken defence of the NUP cause.

“We were persecuted because we spoke out. NUP was a new party then, and I took the risk to stand for it when others hesitated. I have the vetting results, and they show that I was the best candidate. I will not reveal how I got them, but just know, I will contest,” he vowed, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Ssewanyana’s rebellion mirrors growing dissent within the opposition party, as several incumbent MPs question the fairness and transparency of the vetting process. Among them is Makindye East MP Derrick Nyeko, who was also dropped in favour of Ali Nganda Mulyanyama, and Aloysius Mukasa of Lubaga South, who has similarly vowed to contest as an independent.

NUP now faces the daunting task of managing discontent among incumbents while maintaining the party’s unity and credibility ahead of 2026.