NUP backs independent candidate Magoola for Busiro East race

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In a rare departure from its "official flagbearer only" policy, the National Unity Platform (NUP) has formally endorsed independent candidate Emmanuel Magoola Matovu for the Busiro East parliamentary seat race.

Party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi announced the development on Friday (January 9) while campaigning in Mukono South alongside NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.

The move comes less than a week before the January 15 general election, as the party scrambles to secure its influence in a key Wakiso district constituency.

​The decision follows a protracted legal battle involving the original NUP flagbearer, Mathias Walukagga.

National Unity Platform (NUP) spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi endorsing independent candidate Emmanuel Magoola Matovu for the Busiro East parliamentary seat race. (Photo by Ponsiano Nsimbi)

In late 2025, the Electoral Commission (EC) revoked the nomination of the Kyengera town council mayor and celebrated musician, citing a lack of requisite academic qualifications.

​The EC ruled that the Mature Age/Aptitude Test certificate Walukagga presented, issued by the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) in 2023, had expired by the time of his nomination in October 2025.

Although Walukagga challenged the decision in the High Court, the court upheld the EC's ruling on December 22, 2025, concluding that an expired certificate could not support a valid nomination.

​The endorsement of Magoola is a significant pivot for NUP.

Throughout the campaign cycle, Kyagulanyi has strictly urged supporters to vote only for candidates appearing under the "Umbrella" symbol, often dismissing independents as potential "moles" or "double-dealers".

​"Our candidate Walukagga said that where one bull falls, another rises. He has told us he will be supporting Magoola, and as a party, we have no problem with that," said Ssenyonyi on Friday.

"He [Magoola] is one of our dedicated members."

​Despite the endorsement from the party's spokesperson, Kyagulanyi himself remained notably silent on the matter during his subsequent address in Mukono, neither confirming nor refuting the new alliance.

​Busiro East has become a complex battleground. By backing Magoola, NUP hopes to prevent a split in the Opposition vote that could hand victory to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) or other rivals.

The Busiro East parliamentary seat is being contested for by eight candidates, including incumbent Medard Ssegona (independent), Hajji Abdu Kiyimba (NRM), Lilian Nakate (independent), Masmoos Kalungi (JEEMA), Fatuma Bangi (ANT), Leonard Byenkya (Independent), and Margaret Nalubowa (UPC).

Magoola's backing by NUP marks only the second time in this cycle that the leading opposition party has officially endorsed an independent, with the first being Alex Ntamu in Bukoto Central, Masaka.

Last week, Kyagulanyi defended the decision to back Ntamu, noting that this owes to his party's longstanding disagreement with the EC over the wrongful nomination of Jamiru Kivumbi. He maintains that despite endorsing Ntamu, the EC went ahead and nominated Kivumbi.