NUP to Vet Detained Aspirants from Prison

The National Unity Platform (NUP) has announced that it will ensure aspirants currently in detention are not excluded from the party’s vetting process for the 2026 general election.

Joel Ssenyonyi, the NUP spokesperson and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, said the party is finalising mechanisms to allow incarcerated aspirants to participate. This was in relation to the fate of Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, the NUP Deputy Spokesperson, who was arrested and arraigned at Kawempe Magistrates’ Court on charges of unlawful military drilling.

Mufumbiro had previously expressed interest in contesting the Nakawa East Parliamentary seat, which is currently held by Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga. Nsubuga has already been nominated to run for the position of Lord Mayor, leaving the Nakawa East seat open for new contenders.

Senyonyi says its not Waiswas fault that he’s in prison because the state has subjected him to political persucution.

John Mary Ssebuufu, a member of the party’s Election Management Committee (EMC), said the committee is exploring all avenues, including seeking permission from prison authorities, to interact with detained aspirants and ensure they are not left out of the process.

The vetting exercise, now in its second day, saw Ssenyonyi himself appear as a candidate for the Nakawa West Parliamentary seat. He stressed that, despite his senior leadership role, all aspirants must go through the same evaluation process, and he is optimistic that the committee will select the most suitable candidate to represent the party.   

Among other aspirants vetted on Tuesday was Shamim Malende, the incumbent Kampala Woman MP.  Malende reiterated her commitment to using her platform to advocate for political prisoners and champion the rights of Kampala traders, who she says are being squeezed by high taxes imposed by the Uganda Revenue Authority.   
Zahara Maala Luyirika, the Speaker of Kampala Capital City Authority and a contender to replace Malende as party flagbearer, highlighted her understanding of Kampala’s governance challenges and pledged to push for increased budgetary allocations to the city if awarded the party ticket.   

Other Kampala aspirants included Roy Ssembogga (Kawempe South), competing against Fred Nyanzi, elder brother of NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, Elias Luyimbaazi Nalukoola (Kawempe North), David Musiri (Makindye West), and David Lewis Rubongoya (Kampala Central). Candidates from other regions, including Ankole and Acholi, were also vetted.