The National Unity Platform (NUP) has unveiled an aggressive electoral strategy for the 2026 general elections, aiming to double its parliamentary representation in Buganda from 57 to over 100 seats.
This bold projection was made during a high-level leadership retreat held on Tuesday, April 22, at the party headquarters in Makerere Kavule.
The event drew hundreds of NUP leaders and mobilisers from Central Uganda, marking a strategic moment as the party prepares to consolidate its influence in the Buganda region.
NUP’s chief mobiliser, Fred Nyanzi, did not mince words in rallying the party’s grassroots machinery.
“In the Buganda region, we have to get over 100 MPs in Parliament. We are not going to play around with matters of Buganda,” Nyanzi declared.
He pointed to President Museveni’s history of political maneuvering in the region, asserting that such tactics would not work this time around.
“President Museveni might think that he can still manipulate and sow division in this region, but we are different this time. We are alert,” he added, stressing the urgency for mobilisers to join the mission with full commitment.
The retreat placed strong emphasis on internal discipline and unity. Nyanzi warned against factionalism and appealed to members to respect the party’s candidate selection process.
“Once someone gets the NUP ticket, we must all stand behind them. That is the only way we will succeed,” he said.
Amid persistent rumors of party ticket sales, Nyanzi issued a firm denial.
“A lot has been said, but let me make it clear: NUP tickets have never been sold. Our president, Bobi Wine, has repeatedly called for anyone with evidence to come forward, but none has been provided. We are a party that fights corruption, and we will not sell your tickets,” he stated.
The call for increased parliamentary representation was reinforced by Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
“There are only 57 NUP MPs in Parliament, and that is not enough. We need more voices, especially from Buganda, to ensure that once our president is in power, we can pass the necessary laws and create meaningful change,” Ssenyonyi said.
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya also spoke of the need for collective purpose over personal ambition.
“Internal squabbles can entrap us. We need to understand that if you are one of the nine people vying for the NUP flag, we cannot give it to all of you. There can only be one flagbearer, and if you do not get it, focus on the larger mission of taking NUP to power,” he said.
As the retreat closed, leaders were charged with mobilizing for what the party dubbed the “Protest Vote 2026” a movement aimed at ending what NUP termed “the reign of repression and tyranny.”
“This vote is a grand opportunity for the masses to assert themselves,” NUP leaders declared.
