NUP untervenes in Malende–Luyirika clash over Kampala Woman MP seat

• The National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership has intervened in the heated Kampala Woman MP race between Hon. Shamim Malende and Councillor Zahrah Luyirika. 
• With rising tensions and rumors of favoritism, party leaders Muwanga Kivumbi and David Lewis Rubongoya chaired a crisis meeting to restore calm. 

The NUP hierarchy headed by the party deputy president Hon Muwanga Kivumbi and the Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya chaired a meeting at the party headquarters this week. This featured the two ladies vying for the party ticket for the Kampala Woman MP role, Hon Shamim Malende and Councillor, Zahrah Luyirika.

The stakes are undoubtedly high between camps of the two ladies and the tension has already boiled amongst their fans. All eyes are on the party’s top leadership on who they will make the official flag bearer. Rumor has it that the party favors Luyirika yet Malende seems to be a top candidate on ground.

In order to calm the situation, a meeting was held and a couple of resolutions were decided. Both Luyirika and Malende addressed the media and had a similar message. They resolved to stop attacking each other both personally and through their fans. One of the other resolutions was to put the party first. Additionally, the meeting also will be used as a case study for other candidates having the same struggles.

“After a meeting with our leaders, we have resolved that we are the candidates for the kampala woman MP race. We have decided to put the party first before anything else. We don’t have to be like those who oppress us because this struggle is for the people. Therefore we shall no longer be attacking each other with insults and accusations on different platforms,” said Zahrah Luyirika.

Malende equally had the same message and this was directed to their supporters. Meanwhile Muwanga Kivumbi also addressed the media and public. He warned that the party won’t afford to lose the Kampala seat or anywhere else because of one or two people.

Therefore if these two women, cannot manage to compete honorably, they won’t hesitate to disqualify them and choose another candidate. According to the Butambala legislator, NUP has to be a class example for others in country.