National Unity Platform

Last updated

National Unity Platform
Jukwaa la Umoja wa Kitaifa
AbbreviationNUP
Leader Bobi Wine
Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongoya
Spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi
FoundedDecember 2004 (as the National Unity, Reconciliation and Development Party)
Headquarters Kamwokya, Kampala, Uganda
Ideology Progressivism [1]
Constitutionalism
Political position Centre-left
ColoursRed, white and navy blue
Slogan"People power, Our power"
Parliament of Uganda
57 / 529
Website
nupuganda.org

The National Unity Platform (NUP, Swahili : Jukwaa la Umoja wa Kitaifa), [2] formerly the National Unity, Reconciliation and Development Party (NURP), is a political party in Uganda led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (also known as Bobi Wine) The NURP was led by Moses Nkonge Kibalama from December 2004 until July 2020. On 14 July 2020, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu assumed leadership of the party and was declared the party flag-bearer for the January 2021 Ugandan presidential elections. [3]

Contents

Background

The NURP was formed in December 2004, headed by Moses Kibalama. For the next 16 years, he served as the president of the party. [3]

In July 2017, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu was sworn in as the MP representing Kyaddondo East Constituency in the 10th Parliament (2016-2021). To win that constituency, he beat two seasoned politicians in a by-election: Sitenda Sebalu of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party and Apollo Kantinti of the main opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). [4]

While running for the Kyaddondo East seat, Kyagulanyi was shunned by both the DP and FDC political parties, so he ran as an Independent candidate. [5] He adopted the ‘People Power, Our Power’ slogan as his rallying call, leading to what is referred to as the People Power Movement in Uganda. [6] [7]

Since the formation of the People Power Movement in 2017, a number of legislators, including members of the ruling National Resistance Movement and opposition Forum for Democratic Change, have allied with People Power. [8]

The People Power movement finally got a legally registered party NURP and changed the name to the National Unity Platform and on 22 July 2020, the founders of NUP, [9] together with leading personalities from the People Power Movement, announced that Kyagulanyi had been elected President of NUP and presidential party flag bearer in the upcoming 2021 national elections. [10] [11]

The party is registered with the Uganda Electoral Commission. The party's symbol is an umbrella in red, white and blue surrounded by three circles in red, white and navy blue. The NUP symbol is fully gazetted by the Uganda Electoral Commission [12]  

On 28 July 2020, the party unveiled membership cards that cost only USh1,000 (about USD 0.27 or GBP 0.2), an amount they said did not discriminate against social class and would be affordable to every Ugandan. [13]

On 3 August 2020, the party president announced five members of parliament who crossed that day to the National Unity Platform. These included John Baptist Nambeshe (NRM), Patrick Nsamba (NRM), Francis Zaake (Independent) and Busujju’s legislator David Kalwanga (Independent). [14] On 13 August 2020, sixteen more Members of Parliament, joined the NUP political party, crossing from the Democratic Party (DP). This brought the total number of MPs who have joined Kyagulanyi in NUP, during the first two weeks of August 2020 to twenty one (21). [15]

On 14 January 2021 general elections took place. According to a survey performed by Market Intelligence Group, Bobi Wine had the support of about 59% of the Ugandans. [16] [17] On 16 January the Electoral Commission announced, even before all votes were counted, that Bobi Wine received 35.08% of the votes. This announcement was heavily criticized since there are 409 polling stations with a 100% turnout. [18] Many videos of ballot box stuffing turned up. [19] [20] [21] Other opposition leaders also stated that Bobi Wine had won and Museveni was falsely sworn in. [22] Factchecker organisation Pesacheck published Uganda has not held honest election in over 30 years. [23] On 9 February the European Parliament passed a resolution stating that the elections were violent and neither free nor fair. [24] On 3 August 2021 well-known government critic, blogger, and party supporter Fred Lumbuye disappeared from his home address in Turkey.

Electoral history

Presidential elections

ElectionParty candidateVotes%Result
2021 Bobi Wine 3,631,43735.08% [25] LostRed x.svg
(results contested) [26] [27] [28] [29]

Parliament of Uganda elections

ElectionParty leaderVotes%Seats+/–PositionGovernment
2021 Bobi Wine Constituency1,347,92913.48%
58 / 529
NewIncrease2.svg 2ndOpposition
Women1,697,42516.71%

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abed Bwanika</span> Ugandan politician

Abed Bwanika is a Ugandan veterinarian, politician, and pastor. He is the President of the People's Development Party, an opposition political party in Uganda and his currently a Member of Parliament for Kimanya-Kabonera constituency under the NUP, the youngest political party led Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.

Esther Mayambala Kisaakye is a Ugandan judge. She is a Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda. She was appointed to that position in July 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobi Wine</span> Ugandan opposition leader, musician, activist, lawyer and actor

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known by his stage name Bobi Wine, is an Ugandan activist, politician, singer, lawyer and actor. He is a former Member of Parliament for Kyadondo County East constituency in Wakiso District, in Uganda's Central Region. He also leads the National Unity Platform political party. In June 2019, he announced his candidacy for the 2021 Ugandan presidential election. He participated in the 2021 election, in which, according to official results, he lost to incumbent Yoweri Museveni, although he claims this result was fraudulent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beti Kamya-Turwomwe</span> Ugandan politician & businesswoman

Beti Olive Namisango Kamya-Turomwe, also known as Betty Kamya and Beti Kamya, is a businesswoman and politician in Uganda, the third-largest economy in the East African Community. She is the Inspector General of Government in Uganda, since 16 July 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betty Nambooze</span> Ugandan politician

Betty Nambooze Bakireke, commonly known as Betty Nambooze, is a Ugandan journalist and politician. She serves as the Member of Parliament, representing Mukono Municipality, in Mukono District

The People Power, Our Power movement is a resistance pressure group in Uganda. It is led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, who is the MP for Kyadondo East constituency. The movement seeks to unite Ugandans on issues such as ending human rights abuse, corruption and redefining the rule of law, with a focus on young Ugandans. The movement was primarily sparked by civil unrest with Yoweri Museveni's extended presidency, after he announced plans to extend his third-longest tenure in Africa by seeking re-election in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francis Zaake</span> Ugandan businessman and politician

Francis Zaake is a businessman and Member of the 11th Parliament of Uganda representing Mityana Municipality. He was first elected to Parliament in the 2016 general elections as an Independent Member. In late 2020, he crossed to the National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda's leading opposition Party. He ran for MP in Mityana Municipality in January 2021 on the NUP ticket and won a second term. Then, until his removal by the parliament in March 2022, he served as a Commissioner of Parliament, representing the entire Opposition on the highest decision-making body of the Ugandan Parliament

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alliance for National Transformation</span> Ugandan political party

The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), founded on 19 March 2019, is a political party in Uganda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shamim Malende</span> Ugandan lawyer and politician

Shamim Malende, is a Ugandan lawyer, a commissioner for oaths, a notary public, politician and community activist. She is a member of the People Power, Our Power Movement and of the National Unity Platform (NUP) political party. She is the only woman on the legal team of Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu. In the 2021 general election she was elected to Parliament as the Women's Representative for Kampala District for the 2021-2026 term.

Events in the year 2020 in Uganda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Ugandan general election</span>

General elections were held in Uganda on 14 January 2021 to elect the President and the Parliament. The Electoral Commission announced Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, the incumbent ruling since 1986, as the winner with 58.64% of the votes although the U.S. State Department qualified the electoral process as "fundamentally flawed" and Africa Elections Watch said they observed irregularities. The official voter turnout was 57% but is questioned since 409 polling stations have been announced to have 100% voter turnout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Ssenyonyi</span> Leader of Opposition in the Ugandan Parliament

Joel Besekezi Ssenyonyi is a Ugandan journalist, lawyer and politician. He is the member of parliament for the Nakawa West constituency in Kampala and the leader of opposition in the Ugandan Parliament, a position that was previously held by fellow member of parliament Mathias Mpuga Nsamba. He also serves as the Spokesperson of the National Unity Platform.

Sitenda Sebalu is a Ugandan politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Kyadondo East Constituency in the 9th Parliament of Uganda. Sitenda lost a by-election in 2017 in which Bobi Wine was announced winner with a landslide victory.

Florence Namayanja is a female Ugandan politician who was district woman representative of Bukoto County East, Masaka District. She was affiliated to the Democratic Party political party and now affiliated to National Unity Platform. In the 11th Parliament, she stood as the Candidate for LC5 Chairperson for Masaka City under the National Unity Platform although she lost the elections. She was the winner of Masaka city mayoral seat after defeating seven candidates including business tycoon, Emmanuel Lwasa with 28,824 votes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrick Nyeko</span> Ugandan politician (b. 1992)

Derrick Nyeko Keko is a Ugandan politician, farmer, and Member of Parliament in Uganda's 11th Parliament (2021-2026), representing Makindye East. He served as the Shadow Minister for Presidency and Security (2021-2024) and Shadow Minister Defence and Veteran Affairs (2024-2026). He is married to Ruth Kirabo Nyeko He is a member of the opposition party, National Unity Platform (NUP) and a supporter of the People Power, Our Power Movement. He was earlier associated with the ruling party National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Barbara Kyagulanyi is a Ugandan philanthropist and author. She is the wife to notable Ugandan singer and politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine. She is the author of "Golden Memories of a Village Belle" published in 2012. She also co-owns and manages One love beach, a resort and recreational facility which was founded by her husband- Bobi Wine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Nambeshe</span>

John Baptist Nambeshe is a Ugandan politician and a member of the 11th Ugandan Parliament from Manjiya County in Bududa district currently serving as the Chief Whip of the opposition in Parliament. He is a member of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) and Deputy President of the party, Eastern Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yusuf Mutembuli</span> Ugandan politicians

Yusuf Mutembuli is a Ugandan advocate of the High Court, academic, politician and member of parliament representing Butaleja District in Bunyole East constituency on the ticket of National Resistance Movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brenda Nabukenya</span> Ugandan politician

Brenda Nabukenya is a Ugandan politician and legislator. She represents the people of Luwero district as district woman representative for Luwero district in the parliament of Uganda. She subscribes to the National Unity Platform party on whose ticket she was voted into parliament in the 2021 Uganda general elections. National Unity platform is headed by Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu alias Bobi wine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Lewis Rubongoya</span> Ugandan lawyer and politician

David Lewis Rubongoya is a Ugandan lawyer, politician and University lecturer who played a key role in the founding of the National Unity Platform (NUP) political party, alongside its president Bobi Wine. He currently serves as the NUP's inaugural Secretary General since 2020. He was also part of the People Power monement as an ally of Bobi Wine.

References

  1. ↑ "Bobi Wine: How an ex-pop star could finally threaten the 'big man syndrome' of African politics". Yahoo! Finance. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  2. ↑ "Je chama kipya cha Bobi Wine kitaleta ushindani Uganda? - 22.07.2020". DW.COM (in Swahili). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  3. 1 2 Nixon Segawa (22 July 2020). "Bobi Wine To Run For Presidency Under National Unity Platform Political Party". Kampala: SoftPower Uganda. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  4. ↑ Job Bwire (11 July 2017). "Bobi Wine Swears In As Kyaddondo East MP". Daily Monitor . Kampala. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  5. ↑ Sulaiman Kakaire (29 August 2018). "Bobi Wine: The making of people power". The Observer (Uganda) . Kampala. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  6. ↑ Dickens Olewe (6 September 2018). "Bobi Wine: The pop star seeking 'people power'". London: BBC News . Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  7. ↑ Patience Akumu (4 October 2018). "With Bobi Wine, people power could finally win in Uganda". The Guardian . London. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  8. ↑ "Uganda's People Power Movement Registers a Political Wing Ahead of 2021 General Elections | Voice of America - English". www.voanews.com. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  9. ↑ "Home". people power, our power. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  10. ↑ Jason Burke (22 July 2020). "Reggae star Bobi Wine launches new political party in Uganda". The Guardian . London. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  11. ↑ Derrick Wandera (22 July 2020). "Bobi Wine unveils new political party". Daily Monitor . Kampala. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  12. ↑ the fast observer (22 July 2020). "Electoral Commission Officially Gazettes NUP umbrella symbol". Kampala: The Fast Observer. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  13. ↑ Edge Uganda (28 July 2020). "Bobi Wine unveils NUP membership cards". Kampala: Edge Uganda. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  14. ↑ SoftPower News (3 August 2020). "Five MPS Some From NRM, Mayors Join Bobi Wine's NUP". Kampala: SoftPower Uganda. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  15. ↑ Derrick Wandera and Shabiba Nakirigya (14 August 2020). "21 MPs join Bobi Wine". Daily Monitor . Kampala. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  16. ↑ "Rigged" (PDF).
  17. ↑ "Kyagulanyi will win elections with over 60% of the votes".
  18. ↑ "409 polling stations with 100% turnout".
  19. ↑ "Youtube". YouTube .
  20. ↑ "Pre-ticking ballots". Facebook .
  21. ↑ "Ballot box stuffing". Facebook .
  22. ↑ "Gen Muntu admits that Bobi Wine won 2021 polls". Ekyooto Uganda. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  23. ↑ "Pesacheck". 22 June 2021.
  24. ↑ "EU Parliament resolution".
  25. ↑ "2021 General Elections". 27 January 2021.
  26. ↑ "Uganda's Bobi Wine Urges Protest Against Disputed Vote Results". Bloomberg.com. 22 January 2021.
  27. ↑ "Uganda election: Bobi Wine challenges result in court | DW | 01.02.2021". Deutsche Welle .
  28. ↑ "Bobi Wine to legally contest Uganda vote, urges non-violence".
  29. ↑ "Uganda's opposition leader Bobi Wine files election challenge in court". February 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.