A section of Busiro East residents have publicly rejected the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) decision to award the 2026 parliamentary ticket to Mathias Walukagga instead of their preferred candidate, Medard Lubega Sseggona.
The constituents, drawn from areas such as Mende Sub-County, Wakiso Town Council, Mumyuka, and Kyengera Town Council, expressed their discontent during a consultation rally held at Ssegona’s home in Nakassozi-Buddo, Wakiso District.
The decision by NUP’s Electoral Management Committee (EMC) to overlook Sseggona, a seasoned politician and one of the party’s founding members, has sparked outrage among residents. They described the move as a form of sabotage, allegedly orchestrated by elements within the party sympathetic to President Museveni’s regime.
“We are shocked and challenged by the leadership crisis in our party and country. What happened to Ssegona and others was sabotage by Museveni’s elements within our party. In this struggle, everyone needs each other more than ever. How can you sideline Ssegona at this critical time when we are fighting to remove the dictator? the elder queried.
The elder, representing other local leaders, urged Sseggona to contest the 2026 elections as an independent candidate, warning NUP and its leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, to exercise caution in sidelining experienced opposition politicians.
Another elder, Vicent Kigozi, criticised the EMC’s vetting process, arguing that it was biased and failed to consider candidates’ qualifications, leadership experience, and contributions to the opposition’s struggle. He advised Walukagga to focus on learning the intricacies of local governance while allowing Sseggona to continue his parliamentary oversight and advocacy for critical issues, including poor road infrastructure, unemployment, limited access to clean water, and inadequate healthcare services in the constituency.
Other local leaders, including Bitokote Joseph Semugera, an aspiring mayor for Kyengera Town Council, Nacawa Shakira Kakungulu from Wakiso Town Council, and Restuta Nakalema Ssendagire, the deputy speaker of Kyengera Town Council, echoed these sentiments.
They condemned the EMC’s vetting process as flawed and biased, arguing that it prioritised certain candidates without due regard for their capabilities or contributions to the opposition’s cause. They stressed that Uganda’s current political climate demands serious leaders capable of addressing pressing national issues, such as corruption, human rights abuses, detention of political activists, and the restoration of justice and constitutionalism. They also called for better management of the country’s mineral resources and an end to land grabbing and human trafficking.
In a notable proposal, the leaders urged Ssegona to advocate for a dedicated parliamentary seat to represent artists, highlighting the need for creative voices in Uganda’s legislature.
Addressing his constituents, Sseggona, who has served three terms, expressed gratitude for their unwavering support and vowed to continue serving them, with or without NUP’s backing.
“After your overwhelming support, we will begin conventions across all parishes. I will not remain confined as an MP; we shall also take this message to other parts of the country,” he declared. Sseggona revealed that the party’s decision to deny him the ticket came as a shock, particularly given his significant contributions to building NUP.
“I have no personal grudges against anyone, whether Museveni or Kyagulanyi. Our disagreement is based on the greater good of the nation,” Ssegona stated. He underscored his commitment to fighting for the freedom of Ugandans facing oppression, regardless of his party affiliation. Sseggona also called on NUP’s youth to focus on defeating the current regime through constructive means rather than resorting to abusive language. Reflecting on his disappointment with calm resolve, he remarked, “I am better because I am not bitter.”
Sseggona’s situation is part of a broader crisis within NUP, as other prominent opposition MPs, including Joyce Bagala (Mityana District) and Allan Sewanyana (Makindye East), were also denied party tickets, reportedly due to their alleged links to Mathias Mpuuga, the former Leader of the Opposition and founder of the Democratic Front.
These developments have raised concerns among opposition supporters about internal divisions and the potential weakening of the anti-Museveni movement ahead of the 2026 elections.
