Tensions within the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Mityana District have intensified after local party leaders petitioned the national secretariat, accusing some of the district’s official flagbearers of secretly backing independent candidates.
The concerns were raised during a meeting led by Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, who, together with councillors and other leaders, argued that such conduct undermines party cohesion and could weaken NUP’s performance in the 2026 general elections.
Leaders singled out Annie Miriam Nassali Lugendo, the NUP flag bearer for Mityana District Chairperson, claiming she has been mobilising for independents at lower leadership levels despite being the party’s endorsed candidate.
“We cannot preach unity when some of our own leaders are confusing voters by supporting independents,” one district councillor said. “This behaviour weakens the party and threatens our chances in 2026.”
NUP leaders appealed to the national secretariat to intervene quickly, warning that the situation could affect party results in the forthcoming elections.
Responding to the allegations, NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi issued a strong warning that the party will take disciplinary action against any flag bearer found defying party guidelines.
Speaking in Mityana during the official launch of Kevin Nalwoga’s campaign for Mityana South, Ssenyonyi confirmed receiving several reports accusing some NUP flagbearers of covertly campaigning for independent candidates, particularly in areas where their preferred aspirants lost during the primaries.
“If you are given the party card, you must stand by the party,” Ssenyonyi warned.
“You cannot hold the NUP flag and then turn around to campaign for independents. This is a clear violation of party rules.”
He added that the matter has been escalated to the party president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, and disciplinary action will follow.
“We have already briefed President Kyagulanyi. Appropriate action will be taken against those who choose to rebel against party guidelines,” he said.
Growing Indiscipline Across Districts
According to Ssenyonyi, the trend of party flag bearers supporting independents is not isolated to Mityana alone but is emerging in several districts across the country.
He attributed this behaviour to personal grievances arising from hotly contested primaries, where some candidates refused to accept results and resorted to undermining official party nominees.
“Some leaders are openly defying the party simply because their preferred candidates did not win the primaries,” he noted.
“This must stop if we are to maintain a united and credible front in 2026.”
The Mityana meeting attracted senior officials from the national secretariat at Kavule, district leaders, and all NUP flag bearers.
Party leaders pledged to increase monitoring and reinforce discipline to ensure clarity and unity in the ongoing pre-election activities.
Ssenyonyi emphasized that NUP’s strength lies in its ability to remain cohesive.
“We identified capable candidates and entrusted them with the party flag. Loyalty and teamwork are not optional—they are necessary for victory,” he said.
As the 2026 general elections draw nearer, NUP says it will continue enforcing internal order to ensure the party fields a united and uncompromised team across all levels of leadership.
