Bobi Wine flags off Kampala NUP-flagbearers, warns them against 'unnecessary fights' with Opposition

KAMPALA - National Unity Platform (NUP) party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine, has flagged off the party's flag-bearers in Kampala for the high-stakes 2026 general elections.

The flag-bearers, including a team of mayoral aspirants for all five divisions and their councillors, underwent a one-month rigorous vetting process headed by NUP electoral management committee (EMC) chairperson Harriet Chemutai.

According to Chemutai, they are expected to campaign vigorously for the party's presidential candidate, Kyagulanyi and other NUP candidates across the city.

Directives to flag bearers

During the Thursday, September 11, 2025, unveiling of NUP division mayoral and councillor flag-bearer list at NUP headquarters in Makerere-Kavule, Kampala, Kyagulanyi issued strict directives to its flagbearers, emphasising the need for decency, smartness and unity.

“Desist from attacking other Opposition leaders, be it here in Kampala city or any other part of the country. What we now ask you is unity amongst selected teams who represent us at the grassroots. Stop tribalism, religious differences, and focus on the message of liberation and change,” Kyagulanyi said. 

Keep away from unnecessary fights

Kyagulanyi condemned NUP leaders fighting against Opposition leaders after some flag-bearer councillors led by former Kampala Central Division Mayor Charles Sserunjogi started attacking Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, whom he accused of only speaking about what affects city dwellers without any action plan implemented.

“Lukwago has all along been here for more than a decade, telling us lies that he is the rule of law when there is no service delivery to show for his talks. How can you only emphasise empty talks when people elect you to deliver services from the government?” Sserunjogi asked.

Lukwago has failed to address city challenges, but he hides his weaknesses in the rule of law, which does not bring anything to the table, he insisted.

Kyagulanyi, while speaking at the induction and orientation of new NUP flag-bearers, warned that such unnecessary fights keep gaining public attention, diverting supporters from the core message of liberation and change.

“Do not abuse fellow Opposition leaders, be it in social media or direct confrontation. Lukwago did nothing towards our suffering in the city, but our enemy remains President Yoweri Museveni, whom we must direct all our negative energy towards,” Kyagulanyi insisted.

“The message remains that Kampala needs an engineer and that is Balimwezo, but this should never divert us from change cause,” he emphasised.

Kyagulanyi's warning to NUP flag-bearers is seen as an attempt to maintain party unity ahead of the 2026 General Election. However, the Opposition's struggles with internal conflicts may play into the hands of their long-standing adversary, President Museveni's National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

(L-R) Lord mayor flagbearer Eng. Ronald Balimwezo, NUP head of mobilisation, Habib Buwembo and NUP president Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi addressing Kampala flag bearers. (Credit: Isaac Nuwagaba)

Despite these challenges, Kyagulanyi remains committed to the Opposition's cause. Kyagulanyi vowed to continue advocating for the release of detained opposition figures, including Dr. Kizza Besigye, who has been on remand since November 16, 2024.

“I am not the first Opposition leader. Besigye was here, and it is now the Ghetto gladiator leading the charge. Even those we started with in NUP no longer work with us, but we have to move on to complete the task,” he noted.

Kyagulanyi emphasised the need for solidarity among Opposition leaders, urging them to fight not just for individual freedom but for all political prisoners.

Kyagulanyi flagged a team of five mayors, including Nakawa division's Buken Ali aka Nubian Li, Makindye's Bosco Lusagala, Lubaga's mayor Zaccy Mberaze, Kawempe's Emmanuel Sserunjogi and Kampala central's Moses Katabu.

NUP unveils vetting programme for MPs

The NUP electoral management committee (EMC) has unveiled a vetting programme for the Members of Parliament (MPs), as part of its preparations for the 2026 general elections.

According to Chemutai, the vetting exercise for MPs was initially scheduled to start on August 20, 2025, but has been rescheduled to September 15-22, 2025, due to changes in the nomination dates by the Electoral Commission (EC).

“We have adjusted our electoral road map following EC decision in the national electoral process changes,” she said.

The NUP vetting program is a crucial step in selecting candidates who embody the party's principles and values. By evaluating candidates based on their qualifications, integrity, and commitment to public service.

“NUP aims to present a credible alternative to the ruling party in the 2026 elections,” Chemutai emphasised.

Cruster one starts on Monday, September 15, 2025, with Wakiso, West Nile and Kigezi, Tuesday with Kampala, Acholi and Ankole, Wednesday with Greater Masaka, Lango and Tooro, Thursday with Greater Mpigi, Karamoja and Bunyoro, Friday with Greater Mukono, Sebei, Teso and Rwenzori.

“On Saturday, we shall vet Greater Mubende, Bugisu and Bukedi. Then on Sunday, we will end with Greater Luwero and Busoga all at NUP party headquarters, starting from morning to evening,” Chemutai added.