Muhammad Nsereko, president of the Ecological Party of Uganda (EPU), has said he will endorse National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, if he fails to be nominated by the Electoral Commission (EC) to contest for presidency.
Nsereko is among several presidential hopefuls who have struggled to secure nomination, with the EC demanding at least 9,800 signatures from 98 districts.
Speaking on Sanyuka Television, a frustrated Nsereko said he would have no choice but to throw his weight behind another candidate if he is blocked from the race.
“I will give my endorsement to someone, just watch the space. We can have differences, but if I am not on the ballot, I will choose the candidate. I will not support Nandala Mafabi,” Nsereko said.
He added: “If I am not on the ballot paper, Bobi Wine is my first choice.”
Nsereko ruled out supporting Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi, stressing that his support would instead go to Kyagulanyi, despite their past differences.
The EPU leader also criticised the EC and its chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, accusing them of lacking independence and working under the influence of those in power.
“There is power in the message, and my message is different. The future of Uganda is being decided by those in power—they choose who will contest against them,” he said.
“The chairperson EC has put himself on the scale. You might think you are destroying the future of others, but today this moment is already part of history. Our opponent is afraid of us,” he added.
Nsereko further accused the EC of deliberately frustrating his nomination bid.
“They cannot allow intelligent people like me on the ballot paper. They waited for our signatures, and when we submitted them, they refused to accept them, giving every possible excuse,” he claimed.
The nomination exercise closes today, with several aspirants still raising concerns about being locked out.
Among those expected to be cleared are NUP’s Kyagulanyi and FDC’s Mafabi, joining President Yoweri Museveni and other candidates already nominated.
