The National Unity Platform (NUP) has expressed disappointment with the nomination process of candidates for Members of Parliament after Speaker Anita Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa were declared elected unopposed on the NRM ticket during nomination on Thursday.
NUP Principal Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to express how NUP Aspirant for Ruhinda North Constituency Kato Osbert who was challenging Tayebwa was allegedly blocked by Electoral Commission officials from being nominated.
“Electoral Commission officials who were clearly in a conspiracy started by claiming that comrade Kato’s NIN number was invalid. He challenged them on that. Then, they changed the NIN numbers of three of his seconding supporters on his nomination forms and told him they were invalid. Shamelessly, these criminals are congratulating themselves for being unopposed!” he posted.
Kyagulanyi further noted deepening fears of political intimidation and concern on the safety and whereabouts of Asio Florence who went missing hours before her scheduled nomination to run against Speaker Among for the Bukedea Woman MP seat.
“Their phones have since gone off, and relatives have been unable to locate them. “HERE WE GO AGAIN! The whereabouts of our candidate for Bukedea Woman MP, Asio Florence, are unknown currently” he said.
Kyagulanyi further noted that Asio and several of her team members vanished on Wednesday morning while traveling from Soroti to Bukedea for nomination.
“Her phone number as well as the phone numbers of the comrades she was travelling with from Soroti to Bukedea are all off. We’re in touch with their relatives who are desperately looking for them” he said.
Kyagulanyi noted that Mercy Marion Alupo, another NUP official who had been waiting at the Electoral Commission (EC) offices for Asio’s arrival, was also unreachable.
“Conspicuously, comrade Alupo Mercy Marion, who was waiting at the EC offices all day, is also not reachable on phone at the moment — we can only hope she’s fine,” he said.
According to Kyagulanyi, Asio had previously reported receiving threats and intimidation from unidentified armed men allegedly targeting her family.
“Two days back, Asio called us and informed us that unknown armed persons traveling in a Premio vehicle had gone to her home, picked up her mother and two siblings, and took them to an unknown location where they were intimidated and asked to force her out of the race or face dire consequences,” he said.
Kyagulanyi accused Speaker Among of “using state institutions to eliminate political rivals,” saying her declaration as an unopposed candidate “symbolizes the death of democracy.”
After being declared unopposed during nomination on Thursday, both speakers thanked their supporters for the support, pledged to serve their constituencies and urged them to translate their enthusiasm into votes for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and all NRM candidates across the country.
“To my people in Bukedea, I want to express my love and gratitude for the overwhelming support you showed towards me and the NRM flag bearers during our nominations today. Let’s convert that strong support into solid votes for President Kaguta Museveni and all the flag bearers at every level!” Anita Amonga said.
Tayebwa noted, “Thank you, Ruhinda North, for sending me unopposed to represent you in Parliament 2026–31. It is a challenge I appreciate. I will deliver. Leadership, to me, is both a privilege and a responsibility. It is a privilege because we compete, and out of many, one is chosen to lead; and a responsibility because it carries the trust and expectations of those who have placed their confidence in you,” he said.
Neither the Electoral Commission nor the Uganda Police Force has issued statements on Asio’s disappearance or the disruptions at both nomination centres where the speakers were nominated by the time of this publication.
