National Unity Platform (NUP) flagbearer for Kamwenge District Woman MP, Patience Atuhaire, has alleged that unidentified “state operatives” offered her 300 million shillings to withdraw from the parliamentary race.
Atuhaire made the claims during a press meeting at the NUP party headquarters, saying the money was meant to pressure her into abandoning her candidacy.
She described the alleged offer as part of wider efforts to weaken opposition participation in the 2026 general elections.
“State operatives offered me Shs300 million to get out of the Kamwenge District Woman MP race,” Atuhaire told supporters.
The NUP leadership has since voiced concern over what it describes as intimidation and vote influencing ahead of the polls. NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya said the party has recorded multiple cases of candidates being coerced or financially induced to step aside or defect to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“Many of our candidates have crossed because they are being paid. If we had no numbers like they say, why buy our people?” Rubongoya said, suggesting that recent defections by NUP candidates were not voluntary.
The NRM has previously denied accusations of bribery and vote-buying, arguing that defections reflect public confidence in the ruling party’s performance and internal weaknesses within the opposition.
The Electoral Commission has not yet issued a statement on the alleged bribery incidents.
NUP leaders said they plan to compile formal complaints and petition relevant authorities, while urging supporters to remain focused ahead of the elections.
