The National Unity Platform (NUP) faced a significant setback in the recent by-election for the Woman MP seat in Kisoro, where their candidate, Sultana Salim, garnered a mere 903 votes out of 98,117 total cast. The election, held on November 14, was prompted by the passing of Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, the former MP and state minister for defense.
The by-election was initially marked by a strong sense of tension, with large crowds attending campaign rallies led by NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, who is also romantically linked to Sultana. However, what many anticipated would be a strong showing for the opposition party turned into a surprising defeat, leading to widespread speculation about the implications of Kyagulanyi’s personal life on the electoral outcome.
Prominent activists expressed their shock and disappointment at NUP’s performance. Jim Spire Ssentongo, known for using cartoons to convey political messages, joined others in criticizing Kyagulanyi. Writer Kakwenza Rukirabasheija lamented on social media, attributing the party’s failure to the leader’s preoccupation with his romance rather than focusing on campaign efforts.
“Bobi Wine took advantage of the Kisoro by-election to express his romantic feelings towards Sultana. The two spent much of their time indoors instead of convincing voters. NUP is a scam,” Kakwenza stated.
Additional criticisms emerged from activists who argued that NUP failed to resonate with the electorate, with voters seemingly more drawn to local musical talents than to political rhetoric. This shift in attention, they argued, turned Kyagulanyi into more of a “tourist attraction” than an effective party leader capable of mobilizing support.
The results of the Kisoro by-election highlight the challenges NUP faces in rural areas, where the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) continues to hold a strong grassroots presence.
Analysts noted that President Museveni’s campaign strategy, which emphasizes unity and development while addressing local concerns such as wealth creation, has secured advantages for the NRM against its rivals.
As political observers continue to analyze the implications of this by-election, the future of NUP in regions like Kisoro and the previous by-elections where they suffered heavy defeats remains uncertain, drawing attention to the need for a reassessment of their engagement strategies and party leadership dynamics.
