Kampala, Uganda: At least 100 parliamentary aspirants under the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) failed to register with the Electoral Commission (EC) last week ahead of the 2026 general elections, raising fresh concerns about the party’s preparedness and internal coordination.
The EC conducted a two-day national registration exercise on October 22 and 23, 2025, to screen and verify aspiring parliamentary candidates.
Despite issuing over 400 nomination cards to its members for various constituencies, insider sources confirmed that at least 100 failed to complete registration, with some citing financial constraints, logistical setbacks, and poor coordination from the party headquarters.
Financial Strain Hits the Opposition Party
Several aspiring NUP candidates from districts such as Bushenyi (Igara East) and Kibaale reportedly withdrew from the race due to a lack of funds to cover campaign logistics and registration costs.
According to party insiders, NUP also struggled to raise the UGX 3 million registration fee per candidate, a situation worsened by the suspension of IPOD funding, which had previously supported the party’s political activities.
“Some candidates simply couldn’t afford the costs. Others lacked basic documentation or transport to reach EC centers,” one insider told DailyExpress, describing the situation as “chaotic and embarrassing.”
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya confirmed the registration shortfall but downplayed the political implications, saying the party was still verifying the exact number of affected members.
“It is true some of our aspirants faced challenges completing the process, but we are working to address the gaps,” Rubongoya said. “Some cases were due to misplaced documents, while others were logistical. We remain committed to supporting our flagbearers as we move toward nominations.”
NUP’s financial struggles have reportedly deepened since losing access to funds from the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), a platform that previously provided limited operational support to political parties represented in Parliament.
The shortfall, combined with what insiders describe as “internal disorganization”, has left several aspirants uncertain about their next steps, with some considering independent candidacies in protest.
“We expected the party to back us at least with registration fees or transport,” one disappointed aspirant from the Greater Masaka region told Daily Express. “But even getting feedback from the Secretariat is a struggle.”
Observers Warn of Organizational Fatigue
Political analysts say NUP’s latest setback exposes deeper structural and financial weaknesses within the opposition’s leading party, warning that failure to field candidates in key constituencies could weaken its parliamentary influence in 2026.
“NUP’s biggest test is not popularity, it’s organisation,” noted political analyst Dr. Jimmy Mayanja. “If a hundred candidates can’t register, that’s a sign the party machinery is under strain ahead of a crucial election.”
Rubongoya: “We’re Still in the Game”
Despite the challenges, Rubongoya insisted that NUP remains fully engaged in preparations for the 2026 elections and will soon release a revised candidate list.
“We are not panicking. We have strong candidates across Uganda and will continue to mobilize for a credible, peaceful campaign,” he said.
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