Kyagulanyi's NUP adopts one more color

#UGDecides2021|NUP|EC

KAMPALA - The National Unity Platform (NUP) Tuesday (November 24, 2020) announced the adoption of one more political color.

The party had earlier on in July unveiled red and white as their colors of identity.

However, the development raised controversy with the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) claiming that the red color was their dominant color and that their claim was protected by the law.

Despite the intervention by the Electoral Commission (EC), NUP has adamantly continued to use red as the dominant color.

Section 8 of the Political Parties and Organizations Act 2005, mandates a political party or an organization not to submit to EC for registration of any identifying symbols, slogan, color, or a name which is the same as or similar of any registered political party or organization.

At a press conference held at NUP offices in Kamwokya, NUP said on top of the two colors it was adding on blue.

The party spokesperson, Joel Ssenyonyi revealed; "We have decided to change the party colors and they will all be represented in the party symbol which is an umbrella."

Ssenyonyi disclosed that they wrote to the EC requesting for the change of the party colors which EC agreed to.

"We were not bringing in foreign colors that is why the EC could not reject our request," he added.

The law states that whereas a political party or organization intends to change or alter its identifying symbol, color, or name, the political party or organization shall notify the Electoral Commission of its intention.

The EC spokesperson Paul Bukenya said NUP followed the rightful procedure in the change of the party colors which they approved.

Relatedly, Ssenyonyi accused the police of kidnapping the NUP mobilisers and supporters in different parts of the country at night.

"Some of our mobilisers, organizers, and supporters in Bwaise, Wandegya, Nakawa, Kyegegwa among other parts have been arrested by police and taken to unknown places," he said.

He faulted EC for keeping quiet despite notifying them of the ongoing arrests of their supporters and mobilisers.

According to Ssenyonyi, their legal team is working tirelessly to bail the said supporters out in different parts of the country.

He said the party has established a Human Rights desk charged with handling all human rights-related violations being committed against their supporters.

"In case you have any crime caused on you or a friend, you can reach out to us or call 02009590055 for help," Ssenyonyi added.

Ssenyonyi also demanded the release of Kampala woman MP Nabilah Nagayi who was detained from Nalufenya police station in Jinja last week after Kyagulanyi's arrested.

It should be noted that Jinja Grade One Magistrate, Anne Kyomuhangi, ordered for the immediate release of Nagayi for illegally detaining her beyond the lawful 48 hours, which violates various constitutional rights.

NUP secretary General David Lewis Rubonyoga accused the EC of being silent and police sidelining with National Resistance Movement (NRM) as they hold processions in different parts of the country.

He added the party is to do door to door campaigns in different parts of the country.

"As we begin our door to door campaigns, we are going to follow the required SOPs," Rubongoya said.

He also cautioned police not to arrest their supporters and foot soldiers that are going to be moving door to door.

However, the Kampala Police Metropolitan Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango said police are only arresting people that were involved in Wednesday riots.