Nansana Municipality Member of Parliament-elect Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa has dismissed allegations by former parliamentary aspirant Eng. Stephen Kaweesa that he paid Shs600 million to the National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership to secure the party ticket.
Speaking during Sanyuka Morning Xpress on Wednesday, the former NBS Amasengejje news anchor rejected the claims, questioning their logic and lack of evidence.
“How can you give someone Shs600 million when you have no proof?” Zambaali said.
Kaweesa, popularly known as the “NUP Commander” and currently serving as LC1 Chairperson of Katooke in Nansana Municipality, had alleged that he paid the money to NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, but did not receive the party card.
According to Kaweesa, he has been a chairman for some time and is well conversant with the situation and the people on the ground.
He further alleged that Zambaali obtained the NUP card through unlawful means—claims that Zambaali strongly denied, insisting that he rightfully deserved the party endorsement.
“I deserved the card,” he said, dismissing the allegations against him.
Kaweesa made the claims during an emotional appearance on Sanyuka Morning Xpress last week, where he broke down on air while recounting his experience during the party’s parliamentary flag bearer selection process.
The former NUP hopeful said he made significant financial sacrifices in anticipation of receiving the party card.
“I did everything I could to get the party card,” he said, adding that he spent and borrowed huge sums of money preparing for the campaign because he believed he would secure the NUP ticket.
Kaweesa explained that he had already mobilized resources, organized campaign structures, and committed finances to what he expected would be an official NUP-backed race.
However, the party’s Election Management Committee (EMC) eventually awarded the NUP parliamentary flag bearer position to Zambaali, a decision Kaweesa said left him devastated.
The race for the party ticket had attracted strong competition, notably from Zambaali, Kaweesa, and musician Ibrahim Mayanja, widely known as Big Eye.
Following the loss, Kaweesa said he was forced to run as an independent candidate, a move he claims resulted in substantial financial losses and worsened his economic situation.
Kaweesa stated that failing to obtain the party card left him heavily indebted, noting that he had already spent and borrowed large amounts of money in preparation for the campaign.
Kaweesa partly blamed the party’s internal processes for his financial hardship, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the ticket allocation disrupted his political plans and left him struggling with accumulated debts.
During the same talk show last week, Bukomansimbi South Member of Parliament, Godfrey Kayemba Solo, dismissed Kaweesa’s claims, describing them as blackmail directed at the NUP leadership.
“Zambaali got the card without paying any money. Allegations that the party asks for money for NUP cards are often made by people who fail to get the cards,” he said.
Kayemba added that the party’s selection process is guided by its internal structures and electoral guidelines rather than financial influence.
During the same discussion, Kayemba also addressed speculation about his political future after the end of his current parliamentary term, describing parliamentary service as a temporary responsibility.
“I will go back to what I have been doing. Parliament is a responsibility and a five-year contract,” he said.
