By our reporter
In a dramatic turn of events, the National Unity Platform (NUP) has nullified the recent leadership elections conducted in Nakaseke District by Hon. Paul Luttamaguzi Ssemakula. This decision comes after Luttamaguzi, who is currently serving in Parliament on a Democratic Party (DP) ticket, unilaterally organized and presided over elections for NUP Kunga mobilization committees, disregarding the party’s established rules and regulations.
On August 28, 2024, a meeting was held at NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule, chaired by Faridah Nabatanzi, Head of NUP Kunga Mobilization in Buganda, and Rovans Alex Lwanyango, Head of Local Government at the NUP Secretariat. The meeting confirmed the invalidity of the elections conducted by Luttamaguzi, stating that his actions were both irregular and in violation of party protocols.
The elections, held about two weeks ago, at Namilari village in Nakaseke sub-county, saw Luttamaguzi elected as Constituency Chairperson, with Lawrence Kibirige Masantil as Vice Chairperson and Esther Nakawooya as Secretary for Women Affairs, among others. However, this process was condemned by local NUP leaders, including Fredrick Kakooza, the NUP Chairman for Nakaseke District, who described the elections as illegal. Kakooza, also the LC3 Chairperson of Kasangombe Sub-county, criticized Luttamaguzi for proceeding with the elections without involving the district registrar and despite the party’s suspension of all elections pending new guidelines.
Samuel Byekwaso, the Nakaseke NUP District Registrar, echoed these concerns, stating that he was unaware of the elections until they were already underway and had opted to distance himself due to their irregular nature. Byekwaso confirmed that the party had canceled all elections nationwide and was awaiting new directives before resuming any electoral processes.
In response to Luttamaguzi’s actions, the NUP has appointed an interim leadership to oversee Kunga mobilization activities in Nakaseke. The interim team, led by Fredrick Kakooza, who is also eyeing the LCV seat will manage party affairs with the registrar Byekwaso until a new leadership election can be organized in the next two weeks. This move aims to stabilize the situation and ensure compliance with party regulations.
The party leadership has called on all members to support the interim team and adhere to the upcoming guidelines to ensure a smooth and lawful transition in leadership.
