• Busiro East MP Hon Medard Lubega Ssegona has defended the National Unity Platform’s controversial vetting process ahead of the 2026 general elections, describing it as a necessary but imperfect solution. 
  • He clarified that legal challenges surrounding the party’s constitution forced them to revise their candidate selection approach. 

Busiro East MP Hon Medard Lubega Ssegona, also a member of the National Unity Platform, has clarified the candidate selection process for various elective positions in the upcoming 2026 general elections.

Currently, the vetting is taking place at the party headquarters located in Makerere Kavule. The NUP has faced long-standing accusations regarding its undemocratic and opaque processes.

Many critics claim that party membership cards are distributed to the highest bidders and those closely associated with Bobi Wine. Ssegona noted that the present method is not their preferred approach, but they had to adapt due to the party’s constitution being suspended and subjected to court proceedings.

Ssegona explained that the party decided to visit each constituency to assess the situation, which would account for 60% of the vetting, while the remaining 40% would be based on questions posed to the candidates.

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“Even though the current vetting process isn’t ideal for us, it is the necessary route we must take because our constitution is in legal limbo. We couldn’t just stand by and do nothing; we had to find a solution. Therefore, the party deserves some recognition for being resourceful,” Ssegona stated.

He also mentioned that many individuals were hesitant to run in the previous elections due to uncertainties surrounding the party’s legal status, but it has now established itself as a stable entity with thousands of candidates showing interest in running.

Ssegona urged the public to refrain from criticizing the party and to understand the pressures it currently faces. The MP is vying for reelection as the NUP representative for Busiro East, though there is some ambiguity regarding whether he will receive the party’s official nomination, largely due to his association with Mathias Mpuuga, a former NUP deputy who has since become an adversary.