Kampala, Uganda: Veteran political journalist and critic Andrew Mwenda has cast a big doubt that Robert Kyagulanyi’s National Unity Platform (NUP) will perform better in the 2026 general elections, arguing that the party has lost the momentum and curiosity that propelled its success in 2021.
Mwenda, speaking during a media engagement over the weekend, said NUP’s previous performance was largely driven by the novelty of the party, its celebrity leader Bobi Wine, and public curiosity, not necessarily by its organizational strength or track record.
“I don’t think NUP will perform better than 2021,” Mwenda remarked. “Back then, they were a new group with new energy. Over the past four years, I don’t think they have done enough to keep the enthusiasm of Ugandans.”
Mwenda further claimed that NUP’s internal structures remain weak, with reports of individuals paying large sums of money to secure party endorsements for parliamentary seats, signaling disorganization and opportunism within the party ranks.
He warned those fighting for the NUP party card to “be careful”, suggesting they might waste their resources backing a party whose national appeal and organizational strength are dwindling.
“There are people paying a lot just to get NUP cards because they think that’s their ticket to Parliament. But NUP is no longer that energetic, and they might pay a lot of money and still lose,” Mwenda warned.
It should be noted that in 2020, Mwenda controversially sought to challenge Bobi Wine for the NUP presidency but was denied a party card, a development that fueled ongoing tensions between him and the Makerere Kavule-based outfit.
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