Kampala, Uganda – The National Unity Platform (NUP) has kick-started its 2026 election strategy, focusing on smart deployment of candidates and avoiding internal collisions.
In a key training at the party’s Makerere-Kavule headquarters, Deputy President for Buganda, Hon. Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, urged aspirants to focus on winnable seats and strengthen the party’s grip across Buganda and beyond.
“We have strong candidates, but we must deploy them wisely to maximize our victories,” Kivumbi said, pointing to Nyendo-Mukungwe as a prime example of strategic realignment.
The Nyendo-Mukungwe constituency in Masaka has seen a reshuffling of contenders following the suspension of former Deputy President Mathias Mpuuga.
Originally eyed by three NUP figures Gyaviira Lubowa Ssebina, Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa, and Alice Nanungi the race was narrowed after Kivumbi’s directive.
Alice Nanungi, a Masaka City councillor and grassroots mobilizer, has been encouraged to pursue a city seat.
Her urban appeal, especially among women and youth, makes her better suited for a constituency within Masaka City.
“Alice’s energy is perfect for the city,” said one training attendee.
This left Lubowa Ssebina and Muyizzi Mulindwa to battle for Nyendo-Mukungwe.
However, insiders report Lubowa as the clear frontrunner.
Lubowa, deputy bursar at Makerere University and founder of the Lubowa Ssebina Foundation, has cultivated deep support in Nyendo-Mukungwe.
His foundation has driven community development, youth engagement, and education support making him a household name in the area.
“Nyendo-Mukungwe needs a leader who delivers tangible change,” Lubowa said, citing infrastructure, health, and youth programs as key priorities.
His grassroots presence has positioned him as the likely successor to Mpuuga, with local leaders highlighting his unmatched ground support.
Samuel Muyizzi, a respected lawyer known for defending NUP leaders, was advised to consider contesting for the Masaka District LC5 Chairperson seat, now vacant after Jude Batemyetto’s defection to NRM.
While he enjoys respect in Masaka, Muyizzi’s relatively recent entry into constituency politics limits his visibility in Nyendo-Mukungwe.
However, his legal experience and governance strengths make him a strong contender for the district-level role.
Sources say the LC5 position would allow him to make broad development reforms across Masaka.
The decisions coming out of the training underscore NUP’s effort to place candidates where they can make the greatest impact.
With Lubowa likely to carry Nyendo-Mukungwe, Nanungi heading for a city seat, and Muyizzi aiming for LC5, the party’s tactical reshuffle appears well calculated.
Under Hon. Kivumbi’s guidance, NUP is looking to convert internal strength into electoral victory, turning recent challenges into an opportunity to grow its influence in Buganda and beyond.
