The National Unity Platform (NUP) is facing a major setback in its bid for the presidency following revelations that its candidate, Bobi Wine real name Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu may be disqualified from the 2025 race.
Speaking to the press on Friday, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya disclosed that the Electoral Commission (EC) has informed the party that it failed to meet a key requirement for nomination,the submission of a sufficient number of supporting signatures.
“This morning, the Electoral Commission told us that NUP has not submitted enough signatures,only President Museveni and a few other candidates have reportedly met the threshold.”Rubongoya said.
The announcement, coming just days before the official nomination period, has thrown the party into crisis mode. Rubongoya revealed that the party had spent weeks pressing the EC for updates on their submissions, only to be informed at the last minute about the shortfall.
Rubongoya accused the EC of withholding information and dragging its feet despite repeated follow-ups from the party.
“We have been pushing the commission every day to tell us the status of our signatures so we could proceed with paying the nomination fees. Given the EC’s track record and the regime’s history, we suspect these are deliberate tactics meant to frustrate us.”,he said.
He further criticized the EC’s verification process, claiming that instead of simply reviewing the submitted lists, the commission is calling individuals who signed in support of NUP’s candidate to confirm their backing a method he says opens the door to intimidation.
“There’s already widespread harassment from state operativesbDPCs, DISOs, GISOs stargeting our supporters. This kind of verification plays right into the regime’s hands and undermines the integrity of the process.”Rubongoya said.
According to the official electoral roadmap, presidential nominations will take place on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th September 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Electoral Commission Head Office Grounds in Lubowa, Makindye Ssabagabo, Wakiso District.
Candidates are required to finalize all pre-nomination procedures, including the submission of supporting signatures, by this deadline.
With time quickly running out, Rubongoya said the EC has promised to issue a detailed report identifying the districts where NUP fell short. The party hopes to use that information to mobilize and collect the remaining signatures before the nomination window closes.
“Our team is ready to act swiftly once we get the report,We’re committed to ensuring our candidate is on the ballot.”Rubongoya said.
