Tensions within the NUP party camp in Masaka have escalated, with fresh contenders emerging to challenge Mathias Mpuuga for the Nyendo-Mukungwe parliamentary seat in the upcoming 2026 elections.
As Mpuuga navigates political turbulence within the National Unity Platform (NUP), three aspirants have already thrown their hats into the ring for his constituency seat.
Notable among them are Ms. Alice Nannungi, a councilor representing Nyendo/Mukungwe Division at Masaka City Council, Mr. Gyaviira Lubowa Ssebina, a Deputy Bursar at Makerere University, and Ms. Sarah Kiyimba, representing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party and serving as the Rakai Resident District Commissioner.
Both Nannungi and Ssebina are affiliated with NUP and actively participate in the Kunga Uganda mobilization campaign led by Fred Nyanzi, the party’s national mobilizer.
Nannungi, endorsed by NUP’s top brass, has long expressed interest in Mpuuga’s seat and is currently engaging constituents, leveraging city council projects as part of her campaign strategy.
Meanwhile, Ssebina, supported by his political assistant Maurice Peter Matovu, is focused on bridging the gap between the opposition and the government, advocating for collaboration to advance development initiatives in the constituency.
Ssebina’s foundation, the Lubowa Ssebina Foundation, serves as a platform to engage youth, women, and elders in the community.
The intensified internal strife within NUP, particularly in Masaka, stems from clashes over the ‘Kunga Uganda’ mobilization campaign. Mpuuga and his supporters halted the campaign earlier this year, sparking controversy and accusations of undermining party activities.
The fallout reflects broader tensions within NUP, highlighted by the recent suspension of Mpuuga as NUP Vice President following disputes with party president Robert Kyagulanyi.
Despite the turmoil, Mpuuga’s loyalists in Masaka remain steadfast, affirming his leadership and resilience. However, with the emergence of new contenders and the looming 2026 elections, the political landscape in Nyendo-Mukungwe remains uncertain, poised for potential shifts in power dynamics.
While NRM maintains confidence in Sarah Kiyimba, the 2021 runner-up, and the Democratic Party remains noncommittal about fielding a candidate, the stage is set for a fiercely contested electoral battle in one of Masaka’s pivotal constituencies.
