National Unity Platform (NUP) aspirants in Makindye East have cautioned against attempts by politicians from outside the constituency to “impose themselves” ahead of the party’s vetting exercise scheduled for Next week 15th
Addressing journalists, Makindye East parliamentary aspirant Robert Ssekidde, also known as Tuff B, urged residents to stay calm amid growing speculation about aspirants allegedly shifting from other constituencies to contest in Makindye East.
“We are hearing rumors of people trying to cross from different constituencies. But what we want to tell the people is one thing: if someone did not nominate or show interest in Makindye East, they will not be vetted here,” Ssekidde said.
He expressed confidence in the NUP vetting process led by the party’s Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya and party president Robert Kyagulanyi, noting that only candidates who formally expressed interest will be considered.
His colleague, fellow aspirant Calvin Bakulumpagi, also dismissed claims that the party was behind efforts to bring in external candidates, warning those seeking to “dump themselves” in Makindye East that the ground was not receptive.
“We, the leaders of Makindye East in NUP, are standing firmly against this. Whoever thinks they can play with the mandate of the people here should not dare. The people of Makindye East have made their voices clear,” Bakulumpagi said.
Another aspirant for Makindye East, Patience Ayesigye, also warned against what she described as “last-minute confusion and propaganda” aimed at dividing supporters ahead of the party’s vetting exercise.
Speaking to supporters, Ayesigye questioned the motives of individuals expressing interest in the constituency after the official deadline for picking nomination forms had passed.
“People had time to pick forms for expression of interest, and the time was even extended. If they didn’t pick forms then, why are they coming now? Vetting is on Monday. If you have not been doing the groundwork, can you really start in just one week? I don’t think so,” Ayesigye said.
She urged residents of Makindye East to remain focused on strengthening the party’s structures and not to be swayed by what she called divisive propaganda.
“This is just causing confusion and division among us. We should stay focused on what we want, which is to give our party a chance to choose the most eligible person among us,” she said.
Ayesigye further pledged unity among aspirants, assuring that none of them would run as independents if they were not given the party flag.
“Whoever will be given the card, none of us will come back as an independent candidate. We are going to support whoever will be given the card among us,” she emphasized.
She expressed confidence in NUP’s internal processes, describing the party as “transparent like glass.”
“We believe in the party systems and we trust that they will do the right thing. Whatever they decide, as long as the person chosen is among us, we shall support them. That’s how much we love and trust our party,” Ayesigye said.
