Kampala — Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) member Winifred Nakandi has announced that she will contest for the Nakawa East parliamentary seat as an independent candidate, defying her party’s position that bars members from running outside its ticket.

Nakandi’s decision sets up a direct contest against Waiswa Mufumbiro, the party’s deputy spokesperson, who was endorsed as the official NUP flagbearer for Nakawa East in the 2026 general elections.

The move comes after Nakandi withdrew from the Kampala District Woman MP race under NUP, citing alleged irregularities in the allocation of party cards during the nomination process.

“I am NUP, I will always be NUP,” Nakandi said as she declared her intention to run. “We shall maintain a cordial relationship despite the turbulences. I understand the party has its flagbearers, but we shall respectfully go through these campaigns.” 

She also criticized what she described as a growing rift between party leaders and members who failed to secure the party flag, saying that independents should not be treated as outsiders.

“At some point, I have heard leaders say we should discriminate against independents. However, on our side, we will not discriminate the party,” she added.

Her decision highlights widening divisions within the NUP ahead of the 2026 elections, as several aspirants accuse top party officials of corruption and favoritism in distributing the NUP flag to candidates.

Nakandi pledged to focus her campaign on representing ordinary citizens, promoting unity, and advancing socio-economic transformation in Nakawa East.

By ChimpReports