Allan Ssewanyana declares independent bid for Makindye West seat after NUP snub

• Allan Ssewanyana launches independent bid for Makindye West after being denied NUP ticket.

• Says he’s still young, capable, and confident of winning again.

• Claims he was sidelined to ease tensions in NUP’s internal Kampala contests.

Makindye West Member of Parliament, Hon. Allan Ssewanyana, has announced his bid to contest for the same seat in the upcoming general elections as an independent candidate.

Ssewanyana made the declaration at St. Peter’s Nsambya, where he was joined by tens of supporters who cheered him throughout the event. The former media personality said he decided to run independently after the National Unity Platform (NUP) denied him the party ticket, favoring KCCA spokesperson Zaharah Luyirika instead.

“I want to tell you that I’m still young and still have a lot to offer in leadership. That’s why I’m coming to stand as an independent for this same position. I’m very confident and sure that I’ll win this election. Therefore, all the spies who have come to report back to their haters should notify them that I’ll be victorious once the poll is concluded,” Ssewanyana told the crowd.

He urged his supporters to remain vigilant and confident, recalling how his critics doubted him during his first political race in 2011 when he stood for Lord Councillor, yet he emerged victorious.

Ssewanyana first joined Parliament in 2016 on the Democratic Party (DP) ticket before crossing to the National Unity Platform in 2021. However, he spent much of his current term behind bars alongside the late Kawempe North MP Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya.

Party insiders say Ssewanyana was sacrificed by the Bobi Wine-led NUP in an effort to calm tensions between incumbent Kampala Woman MP Shamim Malende and Zaharah Luyirika, both of whom had been vying for the same slot.