A faction of the National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters in Mukono District has rejected the selection of Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Nambooze, as the party’s interim district chairperson.
The NUP’s top leadership had decided to have party leaders in various districts appoint interim leaders among themselves to guide party activities until the Electoral Commission approves the party’s constitution.
On Monday, NUP leaders in Mukono gathered at the party offices and chose Ms. Nambooze as the interim district chairperson.
However, the meeting quickly descended into chaos as some members, particularly the youth, demanded that she step down to allow other qualified members who are not interested in running for office in the 2026 general election to take the position.
One dissatisfied supporter, Zed Ssebadduka, voiced concerns that Ms. Nambooze might use her new role to suppress other party members who might want to contest her seat in the next election.
“We need leaders who will serve everyone’s interests, but Nambooze holding this office ahead of the general election will cause more confusion in the party, especially when we need unity,” he said.
Ritah Nandyose, a councilor for Nsube-Nawuga Ward in Mukono Municipality, claimed that Ms. Nambooze has long been associated with election-related violence in the area.
She expressed fears that her appointment would undermine efforts by the youth to remove leaders, including Ms. Nambooze, who have served more than two terms.
“We cannot risk going into elections with Nambooze as the party chairperson in Mukono. Her authoritarian tendencies will not benefit NUP,” Ms. Nandyose added.
Mukono Municipality Deputy Mayor Rogers Bazannya noted that they have already petitioned the party headquarters to remove Ms. Nambooze from the office.
“Ms. Nambooze is a liability to the party because she doesn’t represent the interests of NUP members in Mukono. We, the youth, want to work with someone who is open-minded, and Nambooze does not meet that criterion,” he stated.
In response, Ms. Nambooze dismissed the criticism, suggesting that those speaking against her were being influenced by her political opponents who aim to weaken the opposition party in Mukono District.
“We are aware of the tricks our enemies are using to weaken our party, but we will not allow them. I know many MPs will face similar challenges as we approach 2026, but we will emerge victorious,” she asserted.
Ms. Nambooze explained that the party, led by former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, is currently in a difficult situation because the Electoral Commission has yet to approve the party’s constitution, preventing many planned activities from proceeding.
This, she said, is why the party’s top leadership agreed to appoint interim leaders at the district level by consensus.
Mukono District NUP Registrar Richard Lugoloobi Kasirivvu stated that they would await further instructions from the party headquarters on how to address the concerns raised by members.
Interim NUP Leadership in Mukono
Ms. Nambooze is supported by Mukono District Woman MP Hannifah Nabukeera as her deputy. Former Makerere University Guild President Robert Maseruka has been appointed general secretary, and former Mukono South MP Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonya, who recently switched allegiance from the NRM to the NUP, has been named publicity secretary.
Additionally, Mukono District Chairperson Rev. Dr. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa has been appointed secretary of finance, among others.
