Uganda’s leading opposition political party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), has marked five years since its formal registration, reflecting on its tumultuous yet resilient journey in Uganda’s political space.
Founded in July 2020 after a dramatic transition from the little-known National Unity, Reconciliation, and Development Party, NUP was thrust into the limelight following the presidential bid of pop star-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, famously known as Bobi Wine. Since then, the party has evolved from a street protest movement under the “People Power” banner into a structured political force with elected Members of Parliament, local leaders, and a recognized presence across Uganda.
Speaking about the anniversary, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya noted that the party’s journey has been one of determination and deep sacrifice. “The journey so far has been marked by so many challenges, trials, and tribulations. However, we have also reached various milestones in the pursuit of our cardinal objective of ushering in a new Uganda,” he stated in a message to supporters.
A Legacy of Resistance and Growth
The anniversary was held in a reflective mood, especially as the party continues to face institutional and political resistance from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government. While the leadership had initially hoped to organize large-scale celebratory events in Kampala, plans were revised due to what they described as state interference and intimidation of potential venue hosts.
Nonetheless, the core of the celebration focused on looking back at NUP’s grassroots mobilization, the party’s electoral victories, and its effort to build a new generation of Ugandan political actors. From securing 61 parliamentary seats in the 2021 general elections to surviving waves of arrests, torture claims, and the disappearance of supporters, the party has walked a path few political entities in Uganda have endured within such a short period.
In his remarks shared online, NUP President Bobi Wine reminded Ugandans of the cost that has come with their political engagement. “Many of our comrades remain missing. Others are in prisons. Some were killed for simply wearing red. But we are still standing. Five years on, our message remains: People Power, Our Power,” he wrote.
Facing Forward: Challenges and Unfinished Work
The anniversary also drew comments from civil society actors and political commentators who acknowledged NUP’s transformative role in Uganda’s opposition politics. Political analyst Sarah Bireete noted that despite being young, NUP has created a space that resonates with youth and urban voters. “Whether you agree with their methods or not, they’ve redefined political participation for the younger generation,” she said in an interview on a local radio station.
However, the party has not been without internal criticism. Questions about internal democracy, limited visibility of alternative policy proposals, and the reliance on a single dominant figure in Bobi Wine have all been raised by political observers. Still, supporters believe these are growth pains that the party will overcome as it matures and expands its national structures.
As NUP enters its sixth year, it faces the twin challenge of sustaining momentum and preparing for the 2026 general elections. While the excitement that followed its 2020 rise may have cooled slightly, its message of resistance and renewal continues to echo, especially among the disenfranchised.
“The struggle for a new Uganda is still on,” said Joel Ssenyonyi, the party’s spokesperson and Leader of Opposition in Parliament. “We may be blocked, beaten, and vilified, but we are not backing down.”
NUP’s fifth anniversary was less of a party and more of a recommitment ceremony, a moment to take stock of how far they’ve come, and how long the road ahead still stretches.
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