NUP Probes Extortion, Sexual Harassment in 2026 Poll Vetting Process

The National Unity Platform (NUP) has launched an internal investigation into serious allegations of extortion and sexual harassment reportedly perpetrated by senior party officials, including individuals close to party leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Kyagulanyi acknowledged the allegations, which center on the party’s ongoing vetting and harmonization process ahead of the 2026 general elections.

According to reports widely shared on social media and referenced by several activists, some officials—including Kyagulanyi’s brother Fred Nyanzi—are accused of demanding bribes from aspiring candidates in exchange for NUP endorsement and party cards.

Women aspirants, in particular, allege they have faced sexual coercion and harassment from unnamed party figures during the vetting process.

“We do not take these allegations lightly,” Kyagulanyi said.

“That is why we have instituted an independent inquiry led by our Deputy President, Jolly Tukamushaba, to thoroughly investigate these claims and recommend action where necessary.”

He called on concerned citizens and party members with relevant information to come forward and submit testimonies to the committee for “appropriate redress.”

The revelations have cast a shadow over the party’s internal democracy and its promise to offer a clean break from the corruption and patronage politics he said were long associated with the ruling NRM regime.

“We must be different,” Kyagulanyi emphasized. “We must hold ourselves accountable if we are to have the moral authority to challenge the dictatorship.”

Pressure

The party is already under intense pressure from both supporters and critics to maintain transparency in its vetting process, which has drawn thousands of aspirants nationwide seeking the NUP ticket in what is shaping up to be a pivotal election.

In the same address, Kyagulanyi also took aim at the Ugandan state, accusing it of orchestrating fake bomb threats to justify repression.

“For years, we have warned that the regime fabricates or exaggerates incidents to justify its violent repression of opposition supporters,” Kyagulanyi said, citing the incarceration of NUP supporters in Kitalya and Luzira on what he termed “trumped-up charges.”