Mbarara, Uganda – The National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda’s leading opposition party, has officially opened its new Western Regional Office in Mbarara City, marking a significant step in expanding its presence across the country. The office, located along Kiswahili Road opposite Independence Park, becomes the party’s second permanent regional headquarters after the Eastern offices in Iganga, further solidifying NUP’s position as a national political force despite being only five years old.
The ceremony attracted a number of NUP-leaning Members of Parliament. Among those present were Francis Zaake of Mityana, Kawempe’s Hon. Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, Rubaga’s Hon. Mukasa Aloysius Talton Gold, Kalangala’s Hon. Nakimuli Helen, Mpigi’s Hon. Nambooze Teddy, Makindye’s Hon. Nyeko Derrick and Hon. Shamim Malende, the outspoken Kampala Woman MP among others. Their presence underscored NUP’s efforts to strengthen ties in a region often perceived as a stronghold of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
In his remarks, the Leader of the Opposition and NUP spokesperson, Hon. Ssenyonyi Joel Besekezi, emphasized that western Uganda should not be viewed as unreachable for opposition politics. He noted that Western Uganda is also badly off, just like other regions are contrary to what people think. He boasted about the connection that most NUP leaders have with Western Uganda, despite being branded as a party of the Baganda.
NUP Secretary General revealed that the land for the new office was acquired a year earlier, when the late Jolly Mugisha, who served as the party’s first Deputy President for Western Uganda, was still alive. Her legacy was honored during the event, with speakers noting her contribution to NUP’s early organizational growth.
The current Deputy President for Western Uganda, Jackline Jolly Tukamushaba, used the platform to introduce members of the community with hearing impairments, tying the moment to an ongoing awareness week. She said this was proof that NUP was committed to inclusivity. In her address, she praised Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, for inspiring young people and marginalized groups to believe in themselves and even run for political office. Tukamushaba also thanked Kyagulanyi for ensuring that the western region finally has a permanent political home.
When he took to the stage, Kyagulanyi, NUP’s President, revealed that the event had been kept a surprise from many MPs who thought they were attending a meeting in Ishaka to discuss the party’s manifesto. He promised that similar regional offices would soon be opened in northern Uganda, completing the party’s plan to decentralize its structures nationwide.
Kyagulanyi told the gathering that NUP’s vision for Uganda goes beyond politics, highlighting a future where infrastructure such as electric trains would allow Ugandans to work in Kampala and live in Mbarara. “When people want to cling to power, they do temporary things so you always depend on them. But for us, who may not be in power forever, we choose to do permanent things like establishing offices,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd.
The establishment of the new regional headquarters comes against the backdrop of Uganda’s dynamic political landscape where major parties, including the ruling NRM, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), have traditionally competed for grassroots support through regional structures. NUP’s decision to plant permanent offices signals its intention to challenge for space in areas where opposition activity has often faced hurdles.
The Mbarara office now stands as a symbol of NUP’s resilience and growth, with party leaders describing it as a “source of hope” for western Uganda, a region they believe has a critical role in shaping the country’s future political direction.
