National Unity Platform (NUP) aspirant Nakandi Winfred has withdrawn her candidacy for the Kampala Woman Member of Parliament seat, citing alleged irregularities and lack of transparency in the party’s internal vetting process.
Nakandi, who had formally expressed interest in running on the NUP ticket, made the announcement after what she described as extensive consultations with her campaign team.
“I cannot continue in a process full of irregularities. That is why I have stepped down from the Kampala Woman MP race on the NUP ticket,” she said in a statement released on Thursday.
Nakandi accused the party’s Elections Management Committee of breaching internal procedures and operating outside the party’s legal framework. Among her major concerns was the alleged fraudulent issuance of party membership cards to individuals she claims are not residents of Kampala — a move she argues compromises the integrity of the vetting process.
She further alleged that some aspirants were being deliberately redirected to constituencies they had not applied for, a tactic she believes was intended to sideline legitimate candidates in favor of others.
“There have been unfair practices designed to favor certain individuals and discourage genuine contenders,” she said.
Despite her withdrawal, Nakandi clarified that she remains committed to the National Unity Platform and has no intention of leaving the party.
“My decision is not a departure from NUP. I remain loyal to the cause. I’ll announce my next political steps in due course,” she noted.
She also dismissed speculation that she had been bribed or coerced into exiting the race.
“No one has bribed me to withdraw,” she stated. “My decision is independent and based purely on principle.”
Nakandi urged the party leadership to address aspirants’ concerns, particularly around issues related to financial influence and internal accountability.
“NUP should focus on uniting members instead of creating divisions. Transparency and fairness must guide all internal processes,” she added.
Her exit adds to the growing wave of dissent within NUP, where multiple aspirants have in recent weeks raised concerns about how the party’s internal elections are being handled.
The NUP leadership has not yet issued an official response to Nakandi’s allegations.
