Politicians jostling to get endorsement by the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) to enter Parliament next year are in panic after the party Elections Management Committee (EMC) announced dates to start vetting its flag bearers .
Addressing Journalists on Thursday at NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule, EMC Chairperson, Ms Harriet Chemutai, said her term will with aspirants from Wakiso District, West Nile, and Kigezi region on Monday, September 15.
Other regions will follow in phases: Kampala City, Acholi and Ankole on the 16th; Greater Masaka, Lango and Tooro on the 17th; Greater Mpigi, Karamoja and Bunyoro on the 18th; Greater Mukono, Sebei, Teso and Rwenzori on the 19th; Greater Mubende, Bugisu and Bukedi on the 20th; and finally Greater Luweero and Busoga on the 21st.
Ms Chemutai urged all aspirants to present the required documentation ahead of time.
“We call upon candidates who picked forms of interest to get all the necessary documents, including the party card, academic documents, and expression of interest forms to avoid confusion,” she said.
The EMC, however, condemned the Electoral Commission for allegedly frustrating NUP candidates in the ongoing local government nominations. “Some of our candidates were deliberately denied nomination, especially for LCV chairpersons and councillors, under claims of missing requirements,” Ms Chemutai charged, warning that such practices must not be repeated during parliamentary nominations.
At the same briefing, the committee dispatched official NUP flag bearers for Kampala’s local government positions, with the Party President, Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, emphasizing loyalty to official candidates against rebellious aspirants who seek to stand as independents.
“Our support shall only be given to those unveiled as official flag bearers rather than independents. We appreciate candidates who have peacefully conceded defeat and rallied behind the party,” Bobi Wine said, stressing that conceding “is not a sign of weakness but a gesture of respect for the party.”
Aspirants who are not loyal to the party are already panicking fearing that they may not be given party tickets ahead of nominations scheduled for next month . The Uganda Electoral Commission has already set September 23 to 25 to nominate those vying for the coveted office of President . Thereafter, parliamentary hopefuls will also be nominated . General Elections are slated for January 12,2026 .