National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, has expressed dismay at the Electoral Commission (EC) over what he termed as deliberate attempts to frustrate his nomination process, even as the Commission has now cleared him to contest for the presidency.
“Yes, you read it right. We received their letter claiming we didn’t have signatures on the night of 19th. We submitted extra signatures on 20th and 21st September. But the certificate is dated 19th September… clearly indicating we were already in compliance and yet they had to delay us and try to frustrate us in order to buy time and ensure we don’t nominate tomorrow!!!” Kyagulanyi said in a statement.
The EC, in its latest communication, confirmed that Kyagulanyi will be nominated on Wednesday, September 24, at its headquarters in Lweza, Wakiso District. This follows a tense verification of supporter signatures, which had cast doubt on whether NUP’s presidential flag bearer would make it onto the ballot.
On September 19, EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama had written to NUP, warning that the party had failed to meet the statutory threshold in at least 50 districts, with only 80 out of 130 districts meeting the minimum requirement of 100 verified signatures each. He cautioned that without remedy, NUP risked disqualification under Section 10 (1) (b) and (3) of the Presidential Elections Act, Cap 177.
NUP swiftly mobilised, filing additional signatures on September 20 and 21, prompting a fresh round of scrutiny by the Commission. EC Deputy Spokesperson Paul Bukenya explained that each submission had to be verified to ensure all signatories were registered voters who had not endorsed multiple candidates.
“We put them under strict scrutiny. One person can only back a single candidate, and duplicates are automatically invalidated. When that happens, the concerned party is immediately notified,” Bukenya said, noting that similar challenges had affected other presidential hopefuls.
With clearance now secured, Kyagulanyi becomes the fourth presidential aspirant officially approved for nomination, joining incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the NRM, FDC’s Nathan Nandala Mafabi, and the National Peasants Party’s candidate.
The nomination exercise for presidential contenders is set for September 23 and 24.
Despite the clearance, Kyagulanyi’s criticism underscores deepening mistrust between Uganda’s leading opposition force and the EC, foreshadowing a high-stakes electoral contest.
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