National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders have urged supporters to exercise restraint and unity ahead of presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi’s campaign visit to Mukono District tomorrow.
Party chairperson Betty Nambooze Bakireke, speaking to the press, emphasized the need for discipline as Kyagulanyi tours the district’s four constituencies, warning that disorder could undermine the party’s message.
“We want our supporters to remain calm and organized,” Nambooze said. “Do not create chaos in the constituencies where our president will be campaigning.”
She also cautioned independent candidates who lost in the party primaries but continue to present themselves as NUP loyalists against attempting to exploit Kyagulanyi’s rally at Ntawo Stadium to mislead voters.
“When you come out and contest as an independent while pretending to still be a NUP member, that is an act of contempt toward the principles our president instilled in us,” Nambooze said.
“We do not want people pretending to be what they are not at our rally.”
However, independent candidates have dismissed these warnings. Wasswa Arafat, aide to former Woman MP Hanifah Nabukeera, who is now contesting as an independent, insisted that being independent does not prevent them from supporting Kyagulanyi.
“No one can threaten us to attend or stay away from the rally,” Arafat said. “We shall attend only if it does not clash with our campaign programme.”
Mukono North MP Abdallah Kiwanuka, seeking re-election on the NUP ticket, accused his main challenger, Ronald Kibuule, of plotting to instigate violence during Kyagulanyi’s visit.
“I warn Kibuule to abort his planned chaotic scenes against our supporters,” Kiwanuka said. “If police and the Electoral Commission do not act, we shall be forced to defend ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Mukono South MP candidate and NUP chairperson Robert Maseruka said Kyagulanyi is expected to enter the district through Nakiyanja on the Wakiso–Mukono border before moving around the four constituencies to address voters.
“He will enter through Nakiyanja and then proceed to meet supporters in different parts of the district,” Maseruka said.
The planned tour highlights NUP’s strong foothold in Mukono while underscoring tensions between party loyalists and independent candidates ahead of the 2026 elections.
