Kampala, Uganda — The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has named Harriet Chemutai as the new chairperson of its Election Management Committee (EMC), replacing Mercy Walukamba, who has held the role since 2020.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya at the party headquarters in Makerere Kavule.
Ivan Ssempijja was also appointed as deputy chairperson of the committee, which is responsible for overseeing internal party elections and candidate selection ahead of national polls.
Other newly appointed committee members include:
- Ssebuufu John Mary – Central Region Representative
- Achoka Egesa Eddie – Eastern Region
- Loum Patrick – Northern Region
- Julian Kabagambe – Western Region
- Sultana Salim – Publicity Secretary
- Jonathan Elotu – Legal Secretary
- Eddie Kayabula – Committee Secretary
- Alex Lovans Lwanyaga – Technical Advisor
Rubongoya thanked the outgoing committee for their service and urged the new team to operate with integrity and diligence. He also criticized the state’s interference in NUP activities.
“By now, we should have covered parts of our election roadmap, but our efforts have been disrupted by police. Meanwhile, the ruling NRM party went as far as suspending Parliament and Cabinet to focus on its internal processes. Shame on them,” Rubongoya said.
Chemutai, formerly the NUP coordinator for the Sebei region, promised to restore public trust in the committee, emphasizing transparency and anti-corruption.
“We are going to make NUP greater together. I don’t expect anyone to approach me with a bribe. We want to be different from the NRM. If we behave like them, then why are we seeking to replace them?” she stated.
Her comments come in light of previous allegations that members of the party’s EMC accepted bribes in exchange for party nomination cards during the last election cycle.
The reshuffle signals a fresh push by NUP to strengthen internal credibility and prepare effectively for future elections.
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