The race for the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag in the Kawempe North parliamentary contest reached a fever pitch as ten aspirants faced off in a spirited debate at the party headquarters.
With the selection process in its penultimate stage, candidates took turns defending their manifestos, hoping to secure both the confidence of voters and the approval of the party's Electoral Management Committee.
The debate, moderated by lawyer Andrew Karamaji and Dr. Judith Nalukwago, provided a platform for aspirants to articulate their visions for the constituency.
Each contender arrived with confidence, greeted by cheers from enthusiastic supporters. Among them was Umaru Magala, who vowed to champion people's rights, hold leaders accountable, and ensure NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi secures victory in Kawempe North.
Mathius Mulumba, popularly known as "Kyuma kya Doola," structured his agenda under the acronym "JHATE," highlighting Jobs, Health, Accountability, Transparency, and Electoral Reforms.
Eng. Ssenkungu Kenneth pledged to provide free maternity kits, expand electricity access, and promote cooking gas usage among residents, while Kulya Saulo Zziwa prioritised waste management, unemployment reduction, and improving the drainage system.
While some aspirants struggled with complex questions, particularly on constitutional human rights provisions, Moses Nsereko stood out with his humor and charisma, drawing laughter and applause from the audience each time he spoke—accuracy notwithstanding.
NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi congratulated the participants, revealing that the selection process follows a 50-point scoring system: 40 points from prior vetting, 10 points from the debate, and the remaining weight determined by voter consultations.
“We are now going to reach out to the electorate in Kawempe to tell us their preferred candidate, who will then be given the party ticket,” Kyagulanyi said, urging residents to provide accurate feedback rather than be swayed by misinformation.
The party is set to announce its official flag bearer next Tuesday after completing consultations with voters in the constituency.