Incumbent Mityana District Woman MP Joyce Bagala has fired a sharp warning at Harriet Chemutai, accusing the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) Electoral Management Committee of mishandling the party’s candidate nominations.
Joyce Bagala claims this mismanagement is behind the wave of disqualifications hitting NUP candidates ahead of the 2026 elections.
Speaking to the media, Bagala said the disqualifications expose serious flaws in NUP’s candidate vetting process.
“Since political parties returned, NUP is the first opposition party to have its candidates disqualified over lack of academic qualifications and other avoidable mistakes. This shows that Chemutai and her team did a poor job,” Bagala said.
She added that some candidates were clearly unfit from the start, yet were still handed party tickets.
“It’s shocking to see people given tickets when it was obvious they lacked qualifications. Some have been disqualified, and others are on the verge of being kicked out even if they win through courts,” Joyce Bagala revealed.
Bagala, who lost the NUP ticket to popular comedian Proscovia Mukiisa Nabbosa, insisted Chemutai had enough time to scrutinize all applicants but failed to do so.
Lawyer Male Mabirizi also joined the criticism, saying NUP leaders embarrassed regime change supporters by fielding questionable candidates like Mathius Walukagga, disqualified from the Busiro East race despite stopping at primary school.
However, sources inside NUP suggest Chemutai is not without grievances. She reportedly accuses party leaders of meddling with her team’s final list, replacing recommended candidates with friends, relatives, and romantic partners.
In response, NUP committee member John Marry Ssebuufu dismissed claims of incompetence, insisting the disqualifications are politically motivated.
“Walukagga meets all academic requirements. How can someone pursuing a university degree be accused of lacking a Senior Six certificate? Museveni’s politics is built on fooling our people,” Ssebuufu said.
He added that despite the setbacks, NUP presented highly qualified candidates who were at risk of being bribed or intimidated to withdraw, highlighting the party’s strength in challenging Museveni’s regime.
