Stephen Kaweesa, popularly known as the “NUP Commander,” has announced that he will contest as an independent candidate for the Member of Parliament seat in Nansana Municipality after losing the National Unity Platform (NUP) party ticket.
Kaweesa, who also serves as the LC1 Chairperson of Katooke in Nansana Municipality, had faced stiff competition from media personality Zambali Bulasio Mukasa and musician Ibrahim Mayanja, also known as Big Eye. In the recently released list of NUP parliamentary flag bearers, the party’s Election Management Committee (EMC) awarded the ticket to Zambali Bulasio Mukasa — a decision Kaweesa has strongly contested.
Kaweesa criticized the committee’s decision, claiming that the selected candidate is new to both the party and Uganda’s broader political struggle. He argued that Mukasa has never held any leadership position within NUP and lacks experience in community service.
“The EMC’s decision has left the people of Nansana Municipality with no choice,” Kaweesa said. “For years, we have had leaders who have not contributed meaningfully to the area’s development.” Nansana Municipality is currently represented by Wakayima Musoke of NUP, who has not expressed interest in seeking re-election.
Kaweesa said his decision to run as an independent was inspired by NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), who famously ran as an independent in the Kyadondo East by-election after being denied a party ticket — and won. Despite breaking ranks to contest as an independent, Kaweesa maintains that he remains loyal to the National Unity Platform and upholds its values and principles.
He revealed that he has heavily invested in his campaign, printing over 45,000 posters and billboards now visible across the constituency. Joseph Ssemwanga, a resident of Kazo, shared similar frustrations, saying he too was announced as a party ticket bearer before the decision was abruptly changed overnight.
“The party is falling short on the democracy it preaches,” Ssemwanga said. “That’s why I’ve also decided to run as an independent — the ticket allocation process was biased in many areas.” Over 60 NUP members have reportedly petitioned the party’s internal petitions committee, citing irregularities in the vetting and ticket issuance process.