By BM
A political storm is brewing within the National Unity Platform (NUP) after a group of party foot soldiers from Kisugu Parish, Makindye East, submitted a scathing petition to party president Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, challenging the vetting and nomination of Ali Nganda Mulyanyama as the party’s parliamentary flag bearer for Makindye East Constituency.
Dated September 23, 2025, the petition accuses the NUP Electoral Management Committee (EMC) of “fraudulent actions” and raises five serious objections to Mulyanyama’s nomination.
The petitioners, self-identifying as “NUP Foot Soldiers of Kisugu Parish,” claim that the process was marred by inconsistency, favoritism, and a disregard for local leadership.
The petition highlights Mulyanyama’s shifting political ambitions—from initially declaring interest in running for Lord Mayor, then Makindye West, later Nakawa West, and now Makindye East.
Petitioners argue this flip-flopping raises questions about where and how the NUP EMC assessed his candidacy.
“Mulyanyama is a confused man, unsure about where he wants to stand,” the petition reads. “When and where did the NUP EMC assess his ground standing and for what constituency?”
In a bold challenge, the petitioners criticize the party’s apparent dismissal of local candidates from Makindye East. “Is NUP trying to send a message that among all NUP members, supporters, and candidates… there is no one suitable to stand as MP, so NUP has to import someone from elsewhere?” they ask.
Seven other vetted local contenders are named, including Derrick Nyeko, Robert Ssekidde also known as Turf B, Kayondo, and Simbwa, suggesting that Mulyanyama’s selection sidelines grassroots voices.
The petition further accuses Mulyanyama of lacking a real connection to Makindye East, questioning why, as Mayor of Makindye Division, he chose to build a home in Bwebajja, Busiro South (Wakiso District), rather than within the constituency he now seeks to represent.
More explosively, the petitioners cast doubt on Mulyanyama’s academic qualifications.
“Where are his papers for S4 and S6? Is the EMC aware that Mulyanyama did not even complete O-Level?” they write, alleging he may be using forged academic documents under the name of his brother.
They warn that Mulyanyama risks disqualification by the Electoral Commission potentially leaving NUP without a candidate for Makindye East.
The petition ends with a striking allegation that Mulyanyama is unable to speak proper English, which they claim would render him ineffective in Parliament.
“If English is the official language used in Parliament… Mulyanyama cannot speak any correct English word and cannot speak or debate in English for 5 minutes,” the petition states. “So why is NUP wasting time with someone who is going to embarrass the party?”
The letter is signed by four individuals Hakim Semagulu, Abdulla Murshid, Gerald Mugerwa, and Kakwasa Agaba Ronald—who urge Hon. Kyagulanyi to urgently intervene and halt what they label as “fraudulent actions” by the party’s vetting committee.
By press time, NUP hadn’t issued a public response to the petition.
However, the strongly worded document lays bare growing internal rifts and grassroots frustration over candidate selection—a sign of deeper challenges ahead of the 2026 general elections.
