The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Chairman for Nakawa Division, Moses Mugisha Okwera, is strategizing to leverage internal conflicts within the National Unity Platform (NUP) to secure the Nakawa East parliamentary seat in the 2026 elections.
The NUP leadership in Nakawa Division is currently embroiled in a dispute over candidates for both the Nakawa East parliamentary seat and the Nakawa Division Mayoral seat.
The party’s Deputy Spokesperson, Waiswa Mufumbiro, is being fronted to contest for the Nakawa East parliamentary seat, currently held by fellow NUP member Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo.
Meanwhile, Ali Buken, popularly known as Nubian Li and a close confidant of NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), is being positioned for the Nakawa Division Mayoral seat, which is presently occupied by Paul Mugambe.
Both Balimwezo and Mugambe were elected on the NUP ticket in 2021.
However, several NUP councilors and leaders in Nakawa Division are resisting efforts to replace them with Mufumbiro and Nubian Li.
Additionally, reports suggest that NUP is pressuring Balimwezo to contest for Kampala Lord Mayor, despite his slim chances against the incumbent, Erias Lukwago.
Okwera believes that the ongoing disagreements within NUP present an opportunity for him to reclaim political influence in Nakawa East.
Despite being an FDC member, he has remained actively engaged with the local community since losing the LCV councilor seat to NUP in the 2021 elections.
Through his Okwera Foundation, he has helped numerous students’ secure secondary and university scholarships, earning increasing support from voters.
He hopes that his community engagement will give him an edge in the 2026 elections.
By Olivia Nabaggala
24th Mar, 2025
END
