By George Bukenya
Although National Unity Platform Party tried to talk to the Shamim Malende and Zahala Luyirika the two Kampala Woman MP hopeful as a way of avoiding tearing the party apart, it still faces a dilemma in choosing who should carry the flag for 2026 general elections.
Both candidates are credible to represent the party and have been at the forefront in agitating for the party’s agenda for change and have been royal to the principal Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine).
It’s now difficult to have a function without finding the two rivals in attendance this has been evidences on the recent functions like that of Kabaka’s coronation that occurred at Kibuli, the duo attended and were sin trying to be near Bobi Wine as was the case at Masaka Court were Eddie Mutwe and other Bobi Wine’s security men are battling criminals cases.
Some big figures in NUP actually indicate, they want Malende to still carry the flag for instance the party’s Vice President Lina Zedriga, Betty Nambooze MP for Mukono Municipality and Babie Kyagulanyi. It’s alleged that Luyirika’s is being supported by the Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya.
One of the high ranking figures in NUP who preferred to remain anonymous he said he wouldn’t like to lose any of the two rivals. “ The party can have both candidate vying for different positions, he said Luyirika can go back to his position of councillor and then be retained as Speaker for KCCA or going to contest as Makindye Mayor, he wondered where else Malende could be be positioned,’’
Another source revealed that the party leadership had initially decided to give the flag to Luyirika since Malende was seriously ill and bed ridden but since she returned things turned around and both rivals very now and then are making ‘kakuyege’ in the different parts of the constituency.