Members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Mukono District spent the day in heightened preparation as they readied to receive their party president, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, who is expected to tour the district tomorrow as part of his vote-seeking engagements.
A visit around Mukono town revealed intense activity. In areas such as Nasuti, groups of residents were seen erecting tents, setting up cooking areas, arranging drinks, and coordinating logistics for what they anticipate will be massive gatherings.
Susan Bogere Nsensubuse, one of the lead coordinators and a contestant in the district, told reporters that the team aims to be fully set by dawn.
“By 7 a.m., we shall be at Nakiyanja, the border between Mukono and Wakiso. From there, our president will proceed to Elder Namutwe and later to Nakifuma County,” she explained. She appealed to residents of Mukono to turn up in large numbers to welcome their leader.
Several youths expressed expectations for the visit, noting that they hope Hon. Kyagulanyi will place stronger emphasis on the fight against corruption, which they said is “eating up Uganda.”
During a press briefing at the NUP offices in Kavule, Mukono, party leaders outlined their concerns and expectations ahead of the tour. They urged the Uganda Police Force to provide adequate security and advised supporters to maintain discipline throughout the day’s activities.
Kyagulanyi is scheduled to address rallies across Nakifuma, Mukono North, and Mukono South, before concluding the day with a major event at Ntawo Grounds in Mukono Municipality.
Party leaders also addressed internal disputes related to independent candidates who previously sought NUP endorsement.
“Our guidance is clear. We are promoting the armed leader as the symbol that people in the country recognize,” one official said. “We will not allow others to carry our candidate using other symbols because it misleads the public. But as long as they continue promoting our candidate alongside the party symbol, they are welcome.”
They added that those who insist on running as independents while claiming affiliation with the party are expected to respect the final decisions of NUP.
“If they still believe they are NUP, they must obey the party. The party did not award them the ticket to represent us. If they now realize they are better off with us, they should return and be assigned other responsibilities,” the leaders asserted.
Maseruka Robert, the 89th Guild President of Makerere University and current NUP General Secretary for NUP and Mukono South Constituency Contestant , emphasized that all movements have been shared with security agencies.
“The security of our president relies heavily on the security structures of Mukono District,” Maseruka said. “We have spoken to the security teams, and they are fully aware of our roadmap. If any changes arise, we expect them to communicate early enough so that we avoid unnecessary confrontations.”
He outlined the expected route, which includes stopovers in Wankoba, Namaiba, Kyetume, Wantoni, and a grand rally in Mukono District before escorting the NUP president out of the area.
Richard Kasiru, the NUP registrar for Mukono Municipality, addressed the issue of members who chose to run as independents after failing to secure party tickets.
“There is no way we can control people’s interests,” Kasiru said. “These are the same individuals who earlier committed that they would not run without the party card. But after failing to secure tickets, they decided otherwise. We cannot stop them.”
He called on all party supporters and the wider community to remain disciplined and respectful, especially toward security agencies, saying: “Peace must prevail.”
