Days after the National Unity Platform (NUP) unveiled its parliamentary flag bearers for the 2026 elections, Busiro East legislator Medard Lubega Ssegona has broken ranks with the party, declaring he will contest as an independent.
Ssegona, who has represented Busiro East in Parliament since 2011, lost the NUP ticket to musician and Kyengera Mayor Mathias Walukaga as he sought a fourth term. But on Wednesday, following three hours of consultations with voters at his home in Naggalabi, Wakiso, the seasoned lawyer announced he would not bow out.
“I am contesting as an Independent in the 2026 General Election,” Ssegona declared. “I will soon launch my manifesto and unveil a comprehensive programme for the people of Busiro East. Our mandate remains to remove President Museveni, who wants to turn Uganda into a monarchy.”
While breaking away from the party line, Ssegona insisted he would continue to support NUP’s presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) in the national race. He also noted that his independence would allow him to back candidates across the political divide depending on their credibility.
Unlike some of his colleagues, Ssegona did not lodge an appeal with the NUP tribunal after losing the primaries. Instead, he swiftly chose to stand alone, joining a growing list of party incumbents sidelined in the nomination process who have opted for independent paths. Among them is Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana, who lost the ticket to KCCA Speaker Zahara Luyirika.
Other casualties of the NUP primaries include Makindye East MP Derrick Nyeko, replaced by Ali Nganda Mulyanyama; Mityana District Woman MP Joyce Bagala, replaced by Proscovia Mukisa (Nabbosa); Rubaga South MP Aloysius Mukasa, replaced by Eugenia Nassolo; and Nansana Municipality MP Wakayima Musoke, replaced by former journalist Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa. Senior party figures Dr Abed Bwanika and Mathias Mpuuga were also dropped in favour of Patrick Kuteesa and Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira for Kimanya Kabonera and Nyendo-Mukungwe constituencies, respectively.
Ssegona’s fallout with NUP has been simmering for over a year. His troubles deepened when he refused to openly oppose the controversial Shs1.7 billion “service award” granted to then Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga and three parliamentary commissioners. The saga divided the party, with NUP leader Joel Ssenyonyi leading efforts to impeach Mpuuga from the Parliamentary Commission—a petition Ssegona refused to endorse.
Although NUP later dropped Mpuuga from the commission citing corruption and lack of transparency, Ssegona publicly criticised the decision, further straining relations with the party leadership.
Now, as he seeks to defend his seat outside the NUP structure, Ssegona faces the biggest political battle of his career—one that could redefine his future in Ugandan politics.
