MP aspirants turned away over missing documents as NUP nominations begin

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The National Unity Platform (NUP) has commenced its nomination process for the 2026 general elections, with several parliamentary aspirants turned away due to incomplete nomination forms and the absence of certified academic documents.

“As a requirement, the MP aspirants were supposed to come with certified copies of academic documents, but none has so far met this requirement. We turned them away to go to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) to verify the same,” Harriet Chemutai, the chairperson of the party's Election Management Committee, insisted.

She added that a number of parliamentary aspirants were turned away because they lacked certified academic documents, but noted that the exercise is still ongoing until 23 June 2026.

“The requirement for UNEB to verify one’s academic documents includes proof of payment of sh50,000, which many said they had not yet prepared by the time of nominations,” she said.

Denes Sekabira, MP for Katikamu North in Luwero, was turned away after arriving at the venue without any signed forms or certified academic documents.

“Today, I came to pick forms to express interest, as I have been the MP serving on a NUP ticket. I shall go to UNEB to verify my academic documents and bring the signed documents with me,” he elaborated after being tossed.

Former Agago MP aspirant Winnie Okidi, who holds a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Makerere University, was driven away after panicking when asked by the electoral management committee for certified academic documents.

“I did not know. I first went to the Makerere Senate Building for my academic transcript, but there was no internet connection to verify me in the university system. I have not come with my O’Level and A’Level certificates because I thought the Degree was enough,” she revealed.

“I am going to verify with UNEB tomorrow before going back to Ligi-Ligi East, Lapelebong subcounty in Agago,” Okidi resolved.

Bran Duuki Apito, the MP aspirant for Koboko Municipality, was also turned away despite presenting original academic documents that lacked UNEB certification, as required by the Parliamentary Elections Act, 2005 (as amended).

“This is my first time to contest, but I have been an active member of NUP since the ‘Togikwatako’ time, when Parliament changed Article 102(b) to lift the presidential age limit from 75 years to life,” he said.

There has been a long-standing issue of MP aspirants presenting forged academic documents in order to contest for parliamentary seats, with many losing their positions following court rulings.



In the 10th Parliament, several MPs, including Peter Ssematimba (Busiro South), Rehema Watongola (Kamuli Municipality), the late Charles Okello Engola Macodwogo (Oyam North and former defence state minister), and Peter Mugema (Iganga Municipality), were ejected over academic qualification issues.

NUP officially launched the nomination of candidates at all levels as part of its internal electoral process to identify flagbearers for the 2026 general elections. These candidates will compete against those from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and other opposition parties.

The process followed a statement released by the party’s electoral management committee secretary, Eddie Kayabula, inviting expressions of interest from qualified individuals seeking to represent NUP in various positions, including MPs, district chairpersons, city and municipal mayors, local councils, and lower local government offices at the grassroots.

“Aspirants were required to submit duly signed nomination forms along with supporting documents such as a valid national identification card, proof of NUP membership, and certified academic documents,” said Harriet Chemtai, chairperson of the electoral management committee.

The exercise, which opened on Monday, June 2, 2025, at around 9am, saw a number of area councillors, division councillors, mayors, and MPs return nomination forms or express interest in contesting, though only a handful turned up with certified academic documents from secondary schools and universities.

Councillors nominated

Ivan Mulumba, a Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management graduate from Makerere University Business School (MUBS), and a resident of Mutungo cell, was nominated to contest as the direct municipal councillor for Mutungo ward, Ssabagabo–Makindye Municipality in Wakiso district.

Rashid Lukwago, a 40-year-old with a Master’s degree in Rural Development attained in 2021 from Makerere University, was nominated to run for LCIII councillor for Nakivubo Parish, Kampala Central.

“I am now a businessman selling motor spare parts. I got my first degree in Bachelor of Education from Makerere, but failed to get a job. I tried and upgraded my education, but the situation could not change for the better until I decided to try my rural development experience to help the vulnerable communities,” Lukwago disclosed.

Fredrick Kakiika, a resident of Kyebando West, came to represent Kyebando–Nsoba zone, Katale zone and Central Zone as a division councillor.

For the position of LCIII for Kiteezi–Lusanja cell, Kasangati sub-county in Kyadondo East Constituency, Wakiso district, Haruna Ssengendo Ssebagala presented himself.

“My highest level of education is primary education, but I have a big advantage. I attained a certificate from the NUP School of Leadership, which empowered me with leadership skills to handle this big task,” Ssebagala bragged.