The National Unity Platform (NUP) has dealt a major blow to Roy Ssemboga, former Makerere University Guild President and graduate of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, by denying him the party ticket for Kawempe South MP in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
Instead, the party has handed the flag to Fred Nyanzi, elder brother of NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) — a decision that has fuelled heated debate over dynasty politics and favouritism inside Uganda’s main opposition party.
Ssemboga snubbed again
For Ssemboga, the disappointment is painfully familiar. Back in 2021, he was also denied the NUP ticket, which went instead to journalist Bashir Kazibwe. In protest, he ran as an independent candidate, a move that angered some within NUP ranks.
Despite that history, Ssemboga threw himself into the 2026 vetting process, urging patience and reforms while promising to abide by the evaluation model. But in the end, his credentials — as a Makerere Guild President and a trained engineer — were not enough to secure him the ticket.
“I believe in reform, and I called for patience as the party conducted evaluations,” he said earlier this year. His patience has now left him sidelined once more.
Was Nyanzi favoured?
Observers say the scales may have been tipped in favour of Nyanzi, a long-time party organiser and mobiliser who also happens to be Bobi Wine’s elder brother. Critics accuse the NUP of nepotism, while others argue that Ssemboga’s decision to go independent in 2021 weakened his chances irreparably.
Will Ssemboga defy the party again?
As of late September 2025, Ssemboga has not revealed whether he will mount another independent campaign. In 2021, he vowed to do so if denied the NUP ticket — and he kept that vow.
With his base of support as a former Makerere Guild President, many believe he could still rally grassroots backing in Kawempe South.
But for now, the NUP flag is firmly in the hands of Fred Nyanzi, setting the stage for what could become one of the most dramatic constituency battles of the 2026 elections.
