Several aspirants of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Nansana, Wakiso, have claimed the process of obtaining the party card to contest as flagbearers in next year’s elections was riddled with corruption. Most of these had expressed interest to stand for seats at the local government level but were not selected.
The aspirants, led by Isaac Keith Ssali, the Nansana division mayor, shared their experiences with Bbeg Media at Buyinja in Nabweru.
Ssali, who sought to contest as Nansana Division mayor on the NUP ticket, explained his experience with the party’s Election Management Committee (EMC). Ssali alleged he had received a phone call from an individual requesting a payment of Shs 10 million to be given the party card.
Unable to raise the full amount, Ssali said he managed to send Shs 6 million via mobile money. However, he stated that he neither received a refund nor was issued the party card, which he understood to be a condition of the payment.
Ssali expressed disappointment, noting that he believes the selection process favoured those who paid larger sums.
Ssali emphasized that he would not pursue legal action, expressing confidence that voters would ultimately decide the outcome in the elections. He also highlighted his contributions to NUP, including supporting the party during the Kyadondo East and Arua by-elections, funding posters for party leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, and assisting with efforts to secure the release of detained NUP members.
At the time of the alleged incident, Ssali said he was at Luzira Prison visiting party members Archileo Kivumbi and Eddy Mutwe and had been contacted to stand as surety for a prisoner in Kanyanya court.
Another NUP member, an aspirant for a councillor position who requested anonymity, shared similar concerns about the card issuance process. This individual claimed they were asked to pay Shs 1 million which was later reduced to Shs 200,000. He could only manage to find Shs 100,000 and was not included on the final list of flagbearers. The member alleged that certain individuals influenced the process, favouring other candidates.
Francis Senyonga, a member of the Democratic Party (DP), said some NUP members felt the process lacked transparency. He encouraged affected members to mobilize and compete in the elections, either independently or with other parties, to demonstrate their commitment to democratic principles.
Other NUP members, including Rona Nansubuga and Tamale Victor Jesse, Ssali’s personal assistant, expressed disappointment over the selection process. They claimed that initial plans to field certain candidates, including Ssali for mayor and others for various positions, were altered without clear explanation.
