The red beret, once a symbol of unity and defiance, is now a flashpoint in the National Unity Platform (NUP) as internal disputes threaten to undermine the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2026 elections. At the center of the storm is the contest for the Kampala Woman Member of Parliament seat, which has exposed deep divisions and put the party’s principles on trial.
Despite campaigns officially beginning in late September, NUP is struggling to nominate flag-bearers in key constituencies, leaving candidates and supporters in uncertainty. The truncated three-month campaign period, set by the Electoral Commission, has added pressure, especially as ruling party NRM candidates are already active on the ground.
Shamim Malende, the incumbent Kampala Woman MP and a lawyer renowned for defending NUP supporters pro bono, finds herself challenged by Zahrah Luyirika, the KCCA Speaker and a rising NUP figure. Malende, who spent months recovering in Nairobi after a parliamentary assault, has historically been a symbol of loyalty and sacrifice for the “People Power” movement. Luyirika, meanwhile, has actively campaigned in courts and communities, rallying support and earning recognition as a grassroots organizer.
The rivalry between Malende and Luyirika highlights a generational and strategic divide within the party between long-serving loyalists and newer entrants seeking rapid political influence. Party leadership now faces the delicate task of balancing internal loyalties while choosing the “safest” candidates for crucial constituencies.
Similar tensions are evident in Kawempe South, where Fred Nyanzi, brother to NUP President Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), is vying for a seat currently held by Bashir Kazibwe. Critics allege nepotism and manipulation of party structures, while Nyanzi’s rival, Roy Semboga, points to his local roots and accuses Nyanzi of using his family connections to dominate party politics. Heightened tensions even saw Nyanzi facing hostility from constituents during early campaign movements.
Across NUP, debates over flag-bearer selections have sparked accusations of favoritism, bribery, and public mudslinging. Observers note that these conflicts mirror the internal adversarial politics often associated with the ruling NRM, threatening to dilute the party’s foundational message of “People Power.”
Despite these challenges, NUP’s resilience has been demonstrated in high-pressure electoral contests. The Kawempe North by-election, where activist lawyer Erias Nalukoola defeated the NRM-backed candidate Faridah Nambi Kigongo despite heavy militarization and intimidation, illustrated the party’s capacity to mobilize voters and triumph under adverse conditions.
Analysts argue that NUP’s ability to replicate such grassroots success nationally will depend on internal cohesion and avoiding divisive primaries. The party’s leadership Bobi Wine, Secretary-General David Rubongoya, and Spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi face the dual challenge of managing internal rivalries while preparing for a high-stakes election against a well-resourced ruling party.
As the 2026 elections approach, NUP’s internal battles over key positions, loyalty, and candidate selection will determine whether the party can maintain its “People Power” momentum or fall victim to the very factionalism it seeks to oppose.