The National Unity Platform (NUP) has launched a nationwide vetting exercise for 2026 election aspirants, triggering anxiety among hopefuls and calls for transparency as the party grapples with overwhelming numbers.
The opposition party’s headquarters in Makerere Kavule have become a focal point of political activity this week as thousands of aspirants undergo rigorous interviews before specialized committees.
The vetting, part of a two-tier system, will determine 40% of a candidate’s score based on performance before panels and 60% from grassroots feedback collected in their constituencies.
Emotions are running high inside the compound as candidates face questions on credibility, public appeal, and loyalty to the party.
The process has drawn over 50,000 aspirants from across the country, prompting concerns about the system's capacity and fairness.
“I’m hopeful,” said Latif Ssebagala, a former MP eyeing the NUP flag for Kawempe Mayor. “But we still need assurance that this vetting process will be transparent and fair, especially with so many people involved.”
Ssebagala and others have called for a tribunal to resolve any disputes likely to emerge during the selection, but NUP has so far dismissed the idea.
“There is no need for a separate committee to handle petitions at this stage,” said Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, NUP’s Deputy Spokesperson. “We believe in the integrity of our electoral commission. If grievances arise, the party will address them fairly in due time.”
Mufumbiro also defended the party’s decision to intensify its vetting, arguing that the hostile political environment necessitates a firm approach.
“The political terrain is uneven. That’s why we are carefully selecting our flag bearers to ensure we front the strongest possible candidates,” he said.
Due to the sheer volume of aspirants, the party has added a fourth vetting committee to keep pace.
“The workload is massive, but we’re committed to seeing this through and ensuring fairness across the board,” said Harriet Chemutai, Chairperson of the NUP Electoral Body.
Fundraising efforts are also underway to support the upcoming campaign. Kampala Woman MP Shamim Malende symbolically submitted her Shs10 million pledge toward the party’s election fund, urging others to follow suit.
On Monday, candidates from Lubaga North, Kawempe South, and Nakawa West were among those vetted.
Simultaneously, NUP field teams are gathering constituency-level data to assess each candidate’s grassroots support—an essential factor in the 60% feedback score.
The entire vetting exercise is scheduled to conclude by the end of August, with successful aspirants set to be unveiled ahead of the 2026 general elections.