The National Unity Platform (NUP) yesterday unveiled its list of successful parliamentary candidates in the Buganda region for the 2026 general elections, marking a significant milestone in the party’s electoral strategy.
The announcement came during a press conference held at NUP’s headquarters in Kavule, where party officials presented the names of those cleared by the Electoral Commission and affirmed by internal party deliberations. According to NUP, the list represents candidates who passed all vetting procedures, met support thresholds, and were accepted by both the party and electoral authorities.
Key Highlights and Strategy
Stronghold consolidation: Buganda has long been a strategic region for NUP and its predecessor political movements. With high population density, political influence, and historical significance, a solid showing in Buganda is seen as essential for national ambitions.
Rigorous internal vetting: Ahead of nominations, NUP initiated a vetting exercise from September 15 to 21, 2025, covering districts across Greater Buganda and adjacent regions. The vetting was intended to combine academic credentials, grassroots support assessments, and integrity checks.
Balanced representation: The list seeks to reflect diversity in gender, age, professional background, and geographic spread within the Buganda sub region. NUP emphasized that winning in Parliament will not only depend on individual capacity but on collective cohesion among MPs from the region.
Reactions and Significance
Political watchers say that releasing the list is a bold move by NUP to stake claim in Buganda and to unify supporters ahead of cross party wrangling. For many of the nominated MPs, their election would further entrench NUP’s influence in central Uganda.
However, challenges remain. Legal contests, rival claims, and potential electoral irregularities are likely to surface.
In Uganda’s pluralistic and often contested electoral environment, the path from party announcement to official Member of Parliament is not always straightforward.
The list by NUP is a statement of ambition, but many hurdles remain before these candidates can take their seats in Parliament.
Here are the names
