The National Unity Platform (NUP) in Nansana Municipality is embroiled in a deepening internal crisis following a chaotic party card distribution exercise that has exposed sharp factional rifts and left several members questioning the credibility of the party's leadership.
Tensions erupted after a controversial reversal in the allocation of a party card for the Nansana Division mayoral race, sparking outrage, allegations of forgery, and bitter accusations of bias.
The confrontation reached its peak when newly appointed Nansana Division Mayor Matovu Joseph was dramatically handed the party card after a heated dispute with fellow party member Ssali Isaac Keith.
The reversal came amid swirling claims of document falsification and manipulation during the vetting process.
The tension was ignited when Ssali was initially named the official NUP flagbearer for the Nansana Division mayoral race.
Matovu, however, vehemently contested the decision, triggering a public altercation that saw supporters from both camps clash.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with loud arguments and emotional exchanges turning what was meant to be a routine party process into a spectacle.
“It was utter chaos,” recounted one observer, who requested anonymity.
“Supporters of both Matovu and Ssali were shouting and arguing. It felt like a scene from a political thriller, not a peaceful party card distribution.”
Matovu publicly accused Ssali of presenting forged documents to the party’s vetting committee in a bid to illegitimately secure the card.
He insisted that his rival misled the party leadership and called for an immediate review of the decision.
Ssali strongly denied the allegations, maintaining that he had met all the requirements and had gone through the proper channels.
Faced with growing pressure and an increasingly toxic atmosphere, party officials overseeing the distribution process intervened.
After hearing both sides, they made the contentious decision to revoke the card from Ssali and award it to Matovu.
The move stunned many and triggered fresh protests from Ssali’s camp, who viewed the reversal as a blatant act of favoritism and a blow to the party’s credibility.
“This was a blatant display of injustice,” said a disillusioned party member who declined to be named. “Ssali followed all the procedures. To take the card from him after that chaos is unacceptable. It damages the integrity of the party.”
In an exclusive interview, Matovu Joseph stood by his claims, reiterating that Ssali had used falsified documents. He praised the party’s decision to correct what he called a serious mistake.
“I had to fight for what is rightfully mine,” Matovu said. “The evidence clearly shows that Ssali did not meet the requirements. The party leadership made the right call. I will now focus on serving the people of Nansana and upholding the values of the NUP.”
Ssali, meanwhile, expressed disappointment and concern over what he described as a lack of due process.
He maintained that his documentation was legitimate and accused the party of acting hastily without a thorough investigation.
“I am deeply disheartened by this outcome,” he said. “I believed in the integrity of our internal systems, but the way this matter was handled is deeply troubling. I’m still weighing my options.”
The fallout from the dispute extends beyond the two candidates. The chaotic scenes and abrupt decision have left many within the NUP’s Nansana branch feeling disillusioned.
Some members, still waiting to receive their own party cards, are now openly questioning the transparency and fairness of the party’s processes.
The incident has laid bare underlying fractures within the NUP’s local structure and presents a serious challenge to party cohesion ahead of a crucial election season.
Restoring trust will require swift and transparent action, including a credible investigation into the allegations of forgery and manipulation.
As the dust settles, the NUP faces mounting pressure to demonstrate internal discipline and fairness or risk alienating its base at a time when unity is paramount.
The party's ability to resolve this crisis may well determine its electoral prospects in Nansana and beyond.