Uganda’s biggest political pressure group, People Power has this morning launched a political wing that will be used to field candidates in the upcoming General election.
The pressure group leader Hon Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine launched the party this morning at the People power headquarters in Kamwokya, Kampala. During the event, Kyagulanyi said their efforts to register People Power as a party were frustrated by the current government, and their only option was to buy an already existing party.
Originally, the National Unity Reconciliation and Development Party (NURDP) was registered and owned by Moses Kibalama Nkonge. It was later acquired by People Power and been changed it to The National Unity Platform.
“Having realized that the people power movement would never be registered as a political party under the Museveni Regime, it became very urgent for us to find a solution. We silently set out to identify a platform. Although many political organizations and parties had reached to us, our first criteria was to look for a formation which shares the values, aims and objectives that we share as well” Kyagulanyi said.
According to the Kyadondo East legislator, People power acquired National Unity Reconciliation and Development Party (NURDP) from its owner in July 2019 and changed it to The National Unity Platform.
“I stand here today to announce to the nation that we are unveiling The National Unity Platform” Kyagulanyi announced amid ululations from the audience.
The party will use an umbrella as a political symbol.
As for candidates from other political parties who had sought support from People Power pressure group, Kyagulanyi says they will soon formalize the People power alliance which will be comprised of different political formations and parties that they have already been working with and those that are willing to join them formally.
He promised that the party’s elections committee will be reaching out to candidates who already picked nomination fees with guidelines.
Some members of other parties including Joseph Mayanja alias Chameleone aspiring Kampala Lord Mayor who subscribes to DP and Stella Nyanzi who subscribes to the FDC and wants to become Woman Member of Parliament for Kampala, had sought support from People power.
However, with the newly launched political wing it means the pressure group will field its own candidates at all levels. The group also has to follow up with the electoral commission on the change of names of the political party. Currently, the electoral commission’s official website is off.
