As the nomination exercise for Members of Parliament draws nearer, National Unity Platform –NUP, is regularly making headlines because of the verbal exchange between party flagbearers and those that missed out on endorsement.
NUP is the country’s newest political party that metamorphosed from political pressure group People Power. NUP and People Power are led by Kyadondo East MP, Robert Sentamu Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
Almost every position in greater Kampala area that covers Kampala City, Wakiso and Mukono districts is being contested for by NUP flagbearer and two other party members all insisting that the tickets were given to wrong people.
Bitter exchange in Kawempe is between three NUP members that include party flagbearer, Muhamad Ssegirinya, incumbent Latif Ssebagala Sengendo and former deputy Lord Mayor, Sulaiman Kidandala. Ssegirinya is currently the councilor at Kampala Capital City Authority –KCCA.
Kidandala, Ssegirinya and Ssebagala all believe they are the rightful choice for NUP endorsement. Kidandala fumes that Ssegirinya was not deserving to be awarded party flag and has since vowed to stand as an independent.
To prove that he was dissatisfied with giving the ticket to Ssegirinya, Kidandala has since mobilized more than 40 NUP councilor aspirants to denounce his rival. This has since been viewed as one of the factors that could tear NUP apart.
For starters, Ssebagala had earlier announced that he would not be returning to Kawempe North as MP and was eyeing Lord Mayor seat. He later withdrew from Lord Mayor race something many perceived as fearing incumbent, Erias Lukwago, while others claim Ssebagala was advised not to compete against his fellow Muslim.
The situation is not different in Lubaga North where incumbent, Moses Kasibante, is feuding with NUP flagbearer, Abubakar Kawalya, who is also the reigning KCCA speaker. In Lubaga South, Walter Lubega Mukaku, is battling NUP flagbearer, Alloysius Matovu.
Dr Roy Ssemboga who missed out on NUP ticket for Kawempe South has also declared intentions to tussle against flagbearer Kaizibwe Bashir Mbazira while in Makindye East three contestants who all NUP members are dishing each other for MP race.