‘I Am Broke,’ says NUP’s Joshua Tumukunde as he Quits Igara East MP Race

Counsel Joshua Tumukunde, the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer for Igara East Constituency, has withdrawn from the 2026 parliamentary race, citing financial limitations.

In a letter dated October 16, 2025, addressed to NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and copied to the party’s Western Region leadership, Tumukunde announced his decision to step down from the contest but pledged continued service to the party.

“I regret to inform you that I am unable to proceed with this candidature due to financial constraints,” Tumukunde wrote. 

“Nonetheless, I remain fully committed to serving the party and advancing its mission.”

Tumukunde, who also serves as NUP’s Subregional Coordinator for Greater Bushenyi — covering Ntungamo, Buhweju, Sheema, Rubirizi, Mitooma, and Bushenyi — said he would continue mobilising for the party and providing free legal support to political prisoners across the country.

“I reaffirm my dedication to defending human rights and providing free legal services to political prisoners as I have consistently done in the past,” he added.

The lawyer, who previously contested under the same party in the 2021 general elections, expressed gratitude to the NUP leadership for entrusting him with the party flag once again but noted that the economic demands of the 2026 race had proven insurmountable.

“Unfortunately, for the 2026 race, I have realised that I am unable to continue to the end,” Tumukunde stated, expressing hope that “one day, together, we shall overcome.”

Tumukunde’s withdrawal comes at a time when opposition parties are grappling with resource constraints ahead of the 2026 polls, with several candidates across the country citing similar challenges in sustaining early campaign activities