MITYANA – The National Unity Platform (NUP) is facing significant internal turmoil and public protest in Mityana following the controversial nomination of Prossy Nabbosa as its parliamentary candidate, a decision that has sparked outrage among local residents who favored Nalubega Fausta Bitaano.
Tensions flared when the head of the NUP electoral commission, Honorable Harriet Chemutai, reportedly insisted that the information available to her indicated that the incumbent MP, Joyce Bagala, was leading and enjoyed widespread local support for a return to Parliament. This assertion, however, has been met with fierce resistance on the ground.
The controversy appears to be part of a deeper internal party conflict. Reliable information indicates that the area’s current MP, Honorable Francis Zaake, had previously raised concerns with the party leadership, led by Honorable Robert Kyagulanyi. Zaake reportedly voiced alarm over the distribution of party flags for councilor positions, alleging that individuals loyal to Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa were favored, while those aligned with Prossy Nabbosa and Fausta Bitaano were sidelined. He interpreted this as a sign that Bagala, whom he suggested had “neglected party duties,” was being positioned to receive the party flag once again.
Bagala finds herself in the midst of this storm as one of the several “rebel MPs” whom fellow MP Honorable Kivumbi advised to seek forgiveness from the party president. Bagala, however, has maintained her innocence, stating there was no need for such an apology.
For local residents, the issue is one of fairness and representation. They have labeled Prossy Nabbosa, a film actor, as a “side dish” for MP Zaake, claiming this relationship led to her being unfairly awarded the party card. The protesters insist that Nabbosa does not command the 60% ground support required by the party, a threshold they believe was met by both Joyce Bagala and Fausta Bitaano.
In a move that threatens to split the NUP vote, aggrieved supporters of Bitaano and Bagala have threatened to register as independent candidates. Their goal is to contest the election and, in their words, “prove the party wrong” for its decision, setting the stage for a contentious and divisive electoral battle in Mityana.
