Ugandan social critic Frank Gashumba has once again shaken the political table—this time pointing his finger at the National Unity Platform (NUP), accusing the party of commercializing its vetting process ahead of the 2026 elections.
According to Gashumba, what should have been a transparent process of identifying strong candidates has instead turned into a cash-driven business. He claims that NUP is selling membership cards to the highest bidders and sidelining ordinary Ugandans who cannot afford to pay their way in. In his view, the party has lost its revolutionary edge and is now operating as a “vote-for-sale machine.”
But that’s not all. Gashumba went further, alleging that NUP itself was a creation of the ruling NRM, designed to weaken the once-powerful Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). In his words, the party has traded people power for parliamentary power.
💬 “NUP has become more about money and less about the people,” Gashumba reportedly said, sparking fresh debate online and offline.
NUP Hits Back: “Our Vetting Is Free”
The accusations did not go unanswered. Senior NUP leaders, including Butambala MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, insist that the vetting process is free of charge, stressing that any demand for payment is fraudulent and unconstitutional.
Other members, like Winfred Nakandi, an aspirant for Kampala Woman MP, defended the system as fair and transparent. She explained that NUP uses a 60% grassroots consultation model combined with 40% committee evaluation, ensuring that communities on the ground have the biggest say in who represents them.
⚖️ Allegations of Extortion and Harassment
Despite official defenses, the storm around NUP continues to thicken. Recent reports suggest that some senior party officials are being investigated for allegedly demanding bribes, kickbacks, and even sexual favors from aspirants desperate for endorsement.
Party insiders confirmed that an internal probe is underway to address the growing concerns. This comes at a critical time, as NUP positions itself as the main challenger to the ruling NRM in the 2026 elections.
📰 Why This Matters
The drama around NUP’s vetting process highlights the fragile trust between opposition parties and the Ugandan electorate. For many young Ugandans who once saw NUP and Bobi Wine as the symbol of change, these claims if true strike at the heart of the party’s credibility.
For now, it’s a battle of narratives: Gashumba says NUP is cashing in, while NUP insists it is clean and people-powered.
💡 Buzz Takeaway: Whether it’s political truth or just more Gashumba heat, one thing is clear: NUP’s vetting process is under the spotlight, and the 2026 elections could expose even more cracks in Uganda’s opposition politics.
