The National Unity Platform (NUP) has named lawyer Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola as its flag bearer for the Kawempe North MP by-election.
Speaking at NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Kampala, Nalukoola thanked the party for its support. “I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to NUP for blessing me to be the party flagbearer for Kawempe North MP seat,” he told supporters after the announcement.
He won the party ticket over nine other aspirants, including Umar Magala, Muhammad Lusswa Luwemba, Mathias Mulumba, Moses Nsereko, Salim Sserunkuuma, Fredrick Kakika, Charles Rubagumya, Kenneth Ssekungu, and Saul Kulya Zziwa.
Mercy Walukaba, chairperson of NUP’s Election Management Committee (EMC), said Nalukoola secured 71 percent of the vote.
A longtime member and legal advisor of the Democratic Party (DP), Nalukoola left DP in October 2024 after its leadership signed a cooperation agreement with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya said the selection process was fair and transparent. “Our dedicated EMC conducted a nice work as you have been seeing. The vetting process took 40 percent, debate 10 percent, and ground visibility and mobilisation 50 percent. We call for the spirit of unit. I know each of us members had a candidate they support but unfortunately, we can only have one person,” he said.
The Kawempe North seat became vacant last month after the passing of MP Muhammad Ssegirinya. Nalukoola will now compete against candidates from other parties in the March 12 by-election.
