n an interview with Uganda Radio Network (URN), Okwera said that, while FDC also experienced internal divisions, the infighting within NUP in Nakawa Division works to his advantage.
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Chairman for Nakawa Division, Moses Mugisha Okwera plans to capitalize on the ongoing disagreements within the National Unity Platform (NUP) to win the Nakawa East parliamentary seat in the 2026 elections. The Nakawa Division NUP leadership is currently embroiled in a wrangle over who will stand for the Nakawa East parliamentary and Division Mayor's seat.
The NUP Deputy Spokesperson, Waiswa Mufumbiro, is being fronted as the candidate for Nakawa East, a seat currently held by Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo from the same party. Ali Buken, alias Nubian Li, a close confidant of NUP President Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, is being put forward to contest for the Nakawa Division Mayoral seat currently held by Paul Mugambe.
Both Balimwezo and Mugambe won their respective positions on the NUP ticket in 2021. There has been resistance from several NUP councilors and leaders in Nakawa Division, who oppose the idea of replacing them with Mufumbiro and Nubian Li.
Since February, social media has been flooded with comments, with some people demanding and others warning that it would be a mistake for NUP to send Mufumbiro to replace Balimwezo instead of leveraging his popularity as deputy spokesperson to win a constituency in Busoga, his home region. Similarly, several NUP members have confronted Nubian Li in mosques, warning him against challenging Mugambe, an ardent party member.
There have also been reports that NUP is pressuring Balimwezo to run for Kampala Lord Mayor, despite his slim chances against the incumbent, Erias Lukwago. In an interview with Uganda Radio Network (URN), Okwera said that, while FDC also experienced internal divisions, the infighting within NUP in Nakawa Division works to his advantage.
He expressed confidence that he would defeat any NUP candidate in Nakawa East. Okwera acknowledged NUP’s dominance in Kampala but said the ongoing wrangles give him hope that he will emerge victorious, even with competition from other political parties like NRM and DP.
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Okwera added that, despite being an FDC member, he has stayed connected to the Nakawa community after losing the LCV councilor seat to NUP in the 2021 elections. Through his Okware Foundation, he has helped many students secure secondary and university scholarships, gaining greater appreciation from voters than ever before.
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Nakawa East is also being targeted by former MP Michael Kabaziguruka, who lost to Balimwezo in 2021. Fred Ruhinda, who held the constituency for two terms on the NRM ticket, is also seeking support to return. Additionally, Charles Keeno, who quit DP due to its agreement with NRM to support independent candidates despite his poor performance in 2021, is also vying for the seat.
Mr Joseph Kato graduated with a Master's Degree of Art in Journalism & Communication on February 02, 2024 at Makerere University. He holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Journalism and Media Studies which he attained in 2023 at Oslo Metropolitan University in Norway.
Mr Kato holds a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from Kampala International University. The Master's Degree studies and a decade of journalism practice have enabled Mr Kato to be one of the reliable researchers in areas of conflict, r
