Kampala, Uganda: The National Unity Platform (NUP) has defended its decision to vet candidates for party flag bearer positions rather than holding open primary elections, citing a restricted political environment and financial limitations.
NUP Deputy spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro said the vetting process, currently being conducted by a nine-member committee supported by regional registrars, is a strategic response to Uganda’s political terrain, where opposition parties face unique challenges.
“As NUP, we chose the vetting process because of the environment in which we operate,” Mufumbiro told the DailyExpress. “We are often restricted from doing certain things, so we opted to be innovative in identifying leaders who have both quality and the support of the people.”
Unlike the ruling NRM, which conducted nationwide primaries through voting, NUP opted out of that model, pointing to the chaos, violence, and financial burden associated with mass electoral events.
“We also don’t have the financial muscle to run primary elections on a large scale,” Mufumbiro added, stressing that the vetting approach is aimed at efficiency and credibility.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from sections of the public and some aspiring candidates, who argue that the vetting process lacks transparency and undermines internal party democracy.
Despite the criticism, NUP insists that the model serves the best interests of the party and its supporters as Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections.
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