Bukedea, Uganda: The Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) Party has endorsed Mercy Alupo to take on Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among for the Bukedea Woman Member of Parliament seat in the 2026 general elections.
Alupo’s nomination was confirmed by Alex Byanyanga Rovans, NUP’s Electoral Commission Technical Advisor, who said the selection followed an intensive vetting process by the party’s leadership in Kampala.
Byanyanga noted that the party was aware of efforts to secure an unopposed return for the incumbent but affirmed that NUP had crafted strategies to ensure Alupo’s nomination by the national Electoral Commission. “The final decision rests with the voters of Bukedea,” he said.
Speaking after her clearance, Alupo, formerly affiliated with the blue wing of FDC, promised to champion democratic elections in Bukedea, accusing the ruling NRM of orchestrating what she termed the “2021 saga,” where residents were allegedly denied a free and fair contest.
“Bukedea is not a monarchy. People deserve the right to choose their leaders without intimidation,” she said.
Alupo decried rising insecurity in the district, referencing recent incidents, including the fatal shooting of a mobile money agent and a surge in cattle theft. She accused security agencies of failing to protect residents and promised that, if elected, she would prioritize public safety.
“The business community is under siege. No one feels safe, and the people of Bukedea deserve a leader who will demand accountability,” Alupo stated.
She also criticized the state of health services, deteriorating roads, high youth unemployment, and an increase in teenage pregnancies, pledging to advocate for better opportunities for young people.
Speaker Among, who was declared unopposed in the previous election, has dismissed potential challengers, questioning whether any rival could deliver tangible results.
Meanwhile, confusion continues within the NRM camp after the party’s electoral commission chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi, disqualified Helen Odeke Akol’s bid over residency issues, but the latter insists her name was wrongfully removed from the party register in 2021 before being reinstated and claims to have secured nomination forms as she awaits President Museveni’s intervention.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
