President Yoweri Museveni has taken a swipe at the National Unity Platform (NUP), accusing the opposition party of poor judgment in its handling of the Bukedea Woman MP race after a woman allegedly linked to Speaker Anita Among was fronted as its candidate.
Addressing supporters at Emokori Grounds in Bukedea District on Wednesday, Museveni said the incident exposed what he described as “political immaturity” within the opposition.
He claimed NUP had chosen a relative of Speaker Among as its flag bearer, questioning how a rival party could fail to verify its own candidate.
“I took a picture with that girl (Asio), and she is a relative of Among. Yet NUP wanted her to run against Among,” Museveni said. “This just shows how unserious and shallow they are.”
The President made the remarks shortly after receiving Florence Asio, the woman who had been announced as NUP’s nominee before she mysteriously vanished on the eve of nomination day. Her absence led to Among being declared unopposed for the Bukedea Woman MP seat.
Asio resurfaced at the rally alongside Speaker Among, who dismissed claims that she was ever a member of NUP or even interested in politics.
“She has never belonged to NUP,” Among said while handing over Asio to the President. “She is not a politician at all.”
Museveni congratulated Among and other ruling party nominees who secured their seats unopposed, saying the outcome reflected the trust Ugandans have in the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Asio’s disappearance and dramatic return have stirred fresh political debate, with NUP yet to issue an official statement about the incident or explain the circumstances under which their alleged candidate disappeared and reappeared after the nomination deadline.
The saga adds to growing tension between the ruling NRM and NUP, especially in the run-up to the 2026 general elections, where both parties are seeking to tighten their grip on key constituencies.
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