Five years of NUP: Wins, losses & 2026 prospects

• As the National Unity Platform (NUP) celebrates five years since its official unveiling on July 22, 2020, this article examines the party’s meteoric rise, major milestones, and internal challenges. 
• Led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, NUP has shifted Uganda’s political landscape—winning over 50 parliamentary seats in 2021 and becoming the official opposition. 
  

Today 22nd July 2025 marks exactly five years since the National Unity Platform (NUP) was officially unveiled to the Ugandan public. A new leadership under Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known as Bobi Wine, from its humble Kamwokya headquarters was introduced on the 22nd of July 2020.

Well few imagined that the newly rebranded party, born from the People Power movement and the NURP would grow to become the leading opposition force in the country within such a short time. The party in its five years of existence has faced numerous struggles but also made tremendous progress:-

Achievements

One of NUP’s most notable successes has been its quick rise in the country”s political scene. In the 2021 general elections, the party made history by securing over 50 parliamentary seats.

Majority of these were in the central region that were traditionally dominated by the ruling NRM, DP and few other affiliations. This impressive performance placed NUP as the official opposition in Parliament. The party president, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu garnered about 35% of the of the presidential votes, the biggest percentage an opposition presidential candidate has ever recorded in Uganda.

Additionally, another major achievement has been the party’s institutional growth. The party purchased land and went on to construct permanent party headquarters which are situated in Makerere Kavule. This signals great progress from its humble beginnings in Kamwokya to a more stable and long-term establishment.

This development without a doubt reflects the party’s ambition to become a lasting political force in Uganda. The party also started the NUP School of leadership, an initiative aimed at nurturing and developing future leaders in Uganda.

In addition to this, NUP has helped to amplify the voices of young people and mobilised massive political engagement especially among the youth. Its focus on change, inclusivity, and justice resonated with a generation that felt neglected by the traditional political order.

Many young people have taken interest in the direction of leadership their country is taking. Many youths across the country now occupy and continue to show interest in different leadership positions all courtesy of the NUP and Bobi Wine wave.

Challenges and Criticism

Despite these achievements, NUP’s five-year journey hasn’t been without controversy. Internally, the party has been accused of lacking transparency especially in its candidate selection processes, especially during the 2021 elections , by-elections as well as the selection of flag bearers for the upcoming 2026 general elections.

Many of the aspirants have complained of being sidelined unfairly. This has in turn sparked debates about democratic governance within the party itself. For instance, the party president, Bobi Wine has been accused of favouring his close friends and relatives in selecting who gets to represent the party.

Furthermore, there have also been allegations of bribery and favoritism, damaging NUP’s image as a clean break from the old political systems it opposes. Various critics claim that big-money politics has found its way into the Kavule party, contradicting its message of a people-led change.

Additionally, NUP has experienced internal conflicts and public disputes with key figures and institutions. Clashes with former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga. This even led to an exodus of Mpuuga and some MPs into forming their own party, the Democratic Front, something that many think will weaken NUP in the upcoming election.

Also strained relations with cultural institutions like Mengo and the Katikkiro, have revealed cracks in the party’s unity and public diplomacy. The party has often times failed to harmonize their supporters especially on social media who have always gone on a rampage attacking different personalities especially in areas where the party holds significant ground such as Buganda and the Catholic Church.

But well like any other institution, they cannot have everything right and should therefore be commended for what they have been able to achieve. The next general election which is just months away will however be crucial to their existence.

Looking forward

As the National Unity Platform celebrates five years of existence, it stands at a crossroads especially with the upcoming election. It’s no doubt that the party has defied the odds to become a formidable political player, but the path to sustainability will require addressing internal weaknesses, promoting genuine democracy within its ranks, and building strategic alliances for them to remain a formidable force.