KAMPALA. Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has retained Florence Namayanja as its flag bearer for Masaka City Mayor after proving her capability to secure a win for the party in next year’s General Elections.
Namayanja 65, who previously served in Kampala City as deputy mayor and later in Parliament (Bukoto East Constituency ) for two terms ,is seeking a second term as Masaka City mayor ,which is a key stronghold of NUP.
According to a list of flag bearers released by the party Elections Management Committee on Friday , also retained is Bukomansimbi District chairperson Fred Nyenje Kayiira , Butambala District’s Rashidah Nambowa , Luweero District’s Erasto Kibirango – all seeking a second term on NUP ticket . In Mukono District ,the party ticket has gone to former legislator Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga who had earlier wanted to stand in Mukono South Constituency which he previously represented in Parliament .
This implies that that the incumbent Mukono District boss ,Rev Peter Bakaluba Mukasa ,who is also a NUP member will have to stand as independent or vie for another political office .
In Buikwe District ,the party flag bearer is George Wasswa ,in Kalangala District ( Robert Munaaba) , Buvuma District (Daniel Gad Onyango) , Mubende District ( Pafuladito Kyeyune Bazindere) , Rakai District ( Henry Ndinaiwe) , Njeru Municipality Mayor ( Ukasha Ssemakula) , Kiboga District (Musa Kibirango) , Annie Miriam Nassali( Mityana District ) , John O Okiror ( Amuria District , Francis Kimuli ( Masaka District ) , Edward Katerega( Lyantonde District ) ,Rajab Ssenkubuge (Kayunga District ) ,Patrick Kaseyera ( Nakasongola District , Peter Kawuki (Mpigi District ) ,
During the 2021 General Elections ,NUP which was still on Uganda’s political landscape won many leadership positions at local government and parliamentary levels upstaging the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) which had dominated politics in the region for 35 years .
By retaining incumbents in their positions NUP is trying to consolidate its support in the region ahead of next year’ elections although NRM is determined to sway the vote, saying NUP’s win in 2021 was a result of political wave which they say is no longer vivacious .It remains to be seen which party will have the last laugh after the General Election .
