Walukagga Endorses Former NUP Rival Magoola for Busiro East MP Seat

Wakiso — Disqualified National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer Mathias Walukagga has endorsed Emmanuel Magoola, a former party rival, in the Busiro East parliamentary race, throwing the opposition contest into fresh uncertainty ahead of the January 15 general elections.

Walukagga was recently barred from contesting for the Busiro East seat after failing to meet the required academic qualifications. Following his disqualification, he on Tuesday publicly declared support for Magoola, urging his supporters to back the NUP-leaning independent candidate.

“On January 15, wake up and go to the polling station, vote for Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu for president, Emmanuel Magoola for MP, and all other NUP candidates,” Walukagga told supporters.

From Party Rivals to Political Allies

Magoola is a member of NUP who initially sought the party flag for Busiro East but lost out to Walukagga after the party’s elections management committee selected the latter. Following his rejection, Magoola opted to contest as an independent candidate, a move that contravenes the NUP constitution.

Under NUP rules, any member who contests against the party’s official flag bearer automatically forfeits party membership and is deemed dismissed from the party.

Party Rules vs Political Reality

Walukagga’s endorsement places the party in an awkward position, as it remains unclear whether NUP will take disciplinary action against him for backing a candidate who, by party rules, ceased to be a member upon running as an independent.

The development further complicates NUP’s internal dynamics in Busiro East, where the party has struggled to maintain cohesion following multiple defections and disputes.

A Crowded Independent Race

Magoola is set to face off against Medard Lubega Ssegona, the incumbent MP and former NUP lawyer, who is also contesting as an independent after being denied the party flag.

Ssegona’s relationship with NUP has since deteriorated, culminating in public exchanges between him and party leaders. His fallout with the party is largely linked to his support for former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, who was expelled from NUP after controversially awarding himself a “service award” during his tenure as Leader of the Minority in Parliament.

Mpuuga has since launched a new political formation, the Democratic Front, further fracturing opposition ranks.

Implications for the Opposition

With Walukagga disqualified, two high-profile independents in the race, and NUP grappling with internal divisions, Busiro East is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched constituencies in the upcoming elections.

Analysts say the latest endorsement highlights the growing tension between party discipline and on-the-ground political calculations, as candidates and supporters navigate an increasingly fragmented opposition landscape.