NUP declares lawyer Nalukoola as flagbearer for Kawempe North

The Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has declared lawyer Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola as the party flag bearer for the Kawempe North MP by-election.

"I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to NUP for selecting me as the party flag bearer for the Kawempe North MP seat. I am a loyal member of NUP, whose affiliation should not be questioned," Mr Nalukoola said.

He added, "I challenge you to judge me by my actions, not by how long I have been in the party. For the last 10 years, I have stood firm against injustice and with the oppressed to ensure good governance and the rule of law. Kawempe North is getting a voice that will never be silenced. I will stand firm for the people of Kawempe North and Uganda."

Nalukoola, a seasoned lawyer and former member of the Democratic Party (DP), previously served as its legal adviser. He quit the party on October 18 2024, citing ethical concerns over a controversial cooperation agreement with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. He later joined NUP.

Mr Nalukoola defeated nine other aspirants, all of whom participated in the party's maiden debate last week at the NUP headquarters in Makerere-Kavule, Kampala, to determine the flag bearer.

Despite the 10 candidates, the tightest competition was between political prisoner Umar Magala and Nalukoola , a contest that drew significant attention on social media.

According to the results announced by Ms Mercy Walukaba, the chairperson of the party’s Election Management Committee (EMC), Mr Nalukoola emerged victorious with a 71.4 percent score, leaving his competitors disappointed.

The other aspirants for the ticket were Umar Magala, who scored 52.5 percent; Muhammad Lusswa Luwemba, 35.8 percent; Kenneth Ssekungu, 25.5 percent; Salim Sserunkuuma, 23.5 percent; Charles Rubagumya, 23.3 percent; Mathias Mulumba, 20.1 percent; Saul Kulya Zziwa, 20.1 percent; Moses Nsereko, 14.2 per cent; and Fredrick Kakiika, 8 percent.

Upon receiving the results, Nsereko, who ranked ninth among the aspirants, broke down and lost consciousness for some time. He had high expectations of becoming the next Kawempe North MP.

Magala, who came second, congratulated Nalukoola and pledged to support the party's decision.

"I will lead the campaign team for Nalukoola to ensure victory," Mr Magala said.

Mulumba, who contested for the Kawempe North MP seat in 2021 and ranked seventh in both the 2021 elections and the recent NUP selection, expressed satisfaction with how the EMC conducted the exercise.

"I have been a chairman in my area for 20 years. I had great plans for curbing unemployment, improving sanitation, reinstating the age limit, and bringing Christians in Kawempe back into political discussions. We have never had a legislator who is a Christian before. It required someone who grew up and lives in the ghetto like I do. I don't know why our EMC did not consider that," Mr Mulumba said.

Mr Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the NUP party president, emphasised the importance of securing victory against the NRM. He called upon all party members to support Nalukoola.

"In Kyadondo, we were not a political party, yet we won by 80 percent. In Kawempe, we must win by 90 percent. This is not going to be just an election; it is going to be a real war, and we need to be united," Mr Kyagulanyi said.

"This is just the beginning. The 2026 elections start in Kawempe. We do not just want the Kawempe MP seat because we already have it; we shall use it as a springboard to reclaim the supreme chair that was stolen from us," Mr Kyagulanyi declared.

The party's secretary-general, Mr David Lewis Rubongoya, stated that the process of selecting their flag bearer was transparent, as every step was closely monitored by the top leadership.

"Our dedicated EMC did excellent work, as you have seen. The vetting process accounted for 40 percent, the debate 10 percent, and ground visibility and mobilisation 50 percent. We call for unity. I know each of us had a preferred candidate, but unfortunately, we can only have one person," he said.

Mr Nalukoola will now face candidates from other political parties in the March 13 by-election, including NRM flag bearer Faridah Nambi, FDC's Sadat Mukiibi, Ismail Musiitwa of the People's Progressive Party, and independent candidates Hanifah Karadi, Muhamood Mutazindwa, Twahira Akandinda Ssegirinya, and Fahad Kayondo.;

CALL FOR UNITY

Last week, Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party president Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, asked all aspirants vying to become the party’s flagbearer in the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election to support the eventual candidate chosen by the party, stating that “it will be a vote between the people against Museveni.” Bobi Wine emphasised that there’s need for party insiders to fully embrace one candidate instead of breaking into independents ahead of next month’s by-election to replace deceased Muhammad Ssegirinya.