Kampala, (UG):- The National Unity Platform (NUP) Head of Political Mobilization, Mr Fred Nyanzi, who is also the brother of the opposition party’s president, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, is facing serious allegations for reportedly auctioning the party ticket in the upcoming Kawempe North MP by-election.
The seat for the Kawempe North MP fell vacant with the death of then-area legislator Muhammad Ssegirinya, who was a member and sworn supporter of the Bobi Wine-led NUP.
On Monday (yesterday) the Electoral Commission released the official roadmap for the by-election as it seeks to replace the gap left by Ssegirinya’s demise, and this promptly sent the political parties to reorganize themselves for the March 13 elections.
The latest update we have is that a storm as erupted at Kavule with fingers pointing at Chairman Nyanzi for reportedly demanding a whooping UGX 400 million from late Hon Muhammad Ssegirinya’s Personal Assistant, Mr Alex Luwemba to be given the NUP ticket and win the by-election with ease.
Sources within Luwemba’s camp told this publication that Nyanzi, who is a close confidant of Bobi Wine allegedly requested the amount from him in exchange for the party’s nomination, citing intense competition for the seat.
“Fred [Nyanzi] told us that the ticket is not free and that Alex needs to pay UGX 400 million if he wants to stand on the NUP ticket,” a source close to Luwemba revealed.
“He even mentioned that other candidates are willing to pay, so the party will give the ticket to whoever offers the most money,” the source added.
And it is not Luwemba alone, other candidates, such as Nalukoola Elias Luyimbazi, had already pledged UGX 320 million for the ticket before the WhatsApp conversation between the two leaked to social media on Tuesday morning.
In one of the chats, this website has seen, Chairman Nyanzi had actually notched the deal with Nalukoola, and the two were to meet at Kabira Country Club in Bukoto, a Kampala boutique hotel.
Sources further reaffirmed to DailyExpress that Nyanzi made it clear that the ticket would be awarded to the highest bidder, raising concerns about the integrity of the party’s internal democratic processes.
However, some sources within NUP suggest that Fred Nyanzi may have his own intentions to run for the Kawempe North MP seat and maybe deliberately using his position to frustrate other candidates to pave the way for his candidacy.
The NUP Deputy spokesperson, Mr Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro confirmed the financial demands, stating that the party is facing a significant funding shortfall.
“We are in dire need of money after foreign funding was drastically reduced following the resumption of office by President Trump. Whoever needs the party ticket must be able to pay what is asked,” he explained.
The National Unity Platform has faced previous criticism for allegedly awarding party tickets to individuals who pledge loyalty to Bobi Wine and offer substantial sums of money, rather than selecting candidates based on merit or grassroots support.
This practice has sparked concerns regarding the party’s adherence to its founding principles of transparency, fairness, and internal democracy.
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