Defeated Nansana Municipality parliamentary aspirant Stephen Kaweesa, popularly known as “NUP Commander 001,” broke down in tears as he revealed he is battling debts of more than shs 1 billion after losing election as an independent candidate.
Kaweesa blamed the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) for his financial distress, saying the party’s decision to deny him its official ticket forced him to contest as an independent candidate, a move he claims “cost me everything.”
Speaking before officials of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Kaweesa said the decision to run without party backing drained his resources and left him exposed to heavy borrowing.
“I invested everything I had in this struggle. When I was denied the party card, I had already mobilised, printed posters and committed resources. Running as an independent meant starting over,” he said emotionally.
Kaweesa disclosed that creditors are now pursuing his properties in a bid to recover their money, forcing him into what he described as a life of uncertainty and fear.
“They are chasing my properties. I am in hiding. The pressure is too much,” he told the NRM officials, expressing hope that aligning with the ruling party could offer him a political and personal fresh start.
His public breakdown highlights the high financial stakes involved in Uganda’s electoral politics, where candidates often spend heavily on mobilisation, branding, and grassroots networks, sometimes at great personal risk.
