NUP Elects New Executive Committee Amid Legal Challenge by Founding Members

The National Unity Platform (NUP) has elected a new National Executive Committee (NEC), retaining most of its top leadership, during a closed-door delegates’ conference held at the party headquarters in Kamwokya.

The highly restricted event was attended by 127 accredited delegates, even as a faction of the party’s founders attempted to block the process through court.

Party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, attended the meeting alongside members of parliament, mayors, and other senior party officials.

Media access was barred, but glimpses from outside the venue showed a tight security presence and a meticulous verification process at the entrance.

“No one was allowed in without their name being confirmed on the official delegate list,” said Josephine Namakumbi, a delegate who participated in the election.

“It was serious business from the beginning.”

After several hours of voting, party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi announced that he had been re-elected to his position and that the new NEC had been successfully constituted.

“In addition to the elections, we passed important resolutions,” Ssenyonyi told reporters.

“We’re petitioning the Electoral Commission to extend the timeline for youth leadership elections. More importantly, we are seeking intervention over continued interference by security agencies in our party activities.”

Ssenyonyi emphasized that despite attempts to derail the process, the delegates were firm in their mandate.

The election was held under a cloud of legal contestation. A group of NUP founding members, led by Moses Kibalama Nkonge and Paul Ssimbwa, filed a petition in court seeking an injunction to halt the elections and bar certain NUP leaders from holding office.

“The matter is now before court, and a hearing is set for June 16, 2025,” Ssenyonyi confirmed. “We are not intimidated. The party will defend its democratic processes.”

Several candidates and delegates shared their thoughts on the day’s events. Frank Kabuye, one of the youth leaders, said he hoped the new NEC would “strengthen grassroots mobilization and protect the party from external threats.”

Another delegate, Akiso, added, “We are committed to ensuring that the party remains united and focused, despite the distractions.”

Fred Nyanzi, a senior member and brother to party president Kyagulanyi, called for calm and urged all party supporters to trust the structures in place.