Mbarara City politics has taken a dramatic turn after Hon. Peter Mpaka announced his withdrawal from the Mbarara City North Member of Parliament race and officially quit the National Unity Platform (NUP), citing the party’s failure to provide the logistical support it promised.
Mpaka, who had been duly nominated by the Electoral Commission, said he was left with no option but to step down because he lacked the financial and logistical capacity to run an effective campaign. According to him, NUP had earlier assured candidates that they would receive facilitation for their campaigns, but the party leadership later backtracked.
“I was promised logistical support by the party, only for the President (Robert Kyagulanyi) and Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya to later reveal that there is nothing to offer to any candidate,” Mpaka stated. “Without the necessary logistics, it is impossible to run a meaningful campaign.”
He revealed that he wrote formally to the NUP President, Robert Kyagulanyi, notifying him of his decision to withdraw from the race. He has also written to the Electoral Commission informing them that he is no longer interested in contesting for the Mbarara City MP seat on the NUP ticket.
Mpaka further confirmed that he has left the party entirely and is now considering joining another opposition formation, including the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), as he evaluates his next political step.
“I have discarded my NUP membership and notified the Electoral Commission accordingly,” he said, insisting that his decision was driven solely by lack of campaign facilitation.
The former candidate also issued a strong warning to NUP supporters who have begun spreading allegations that he may have been bribed by the ruling NRM to quit the race. Mpaka dismissed the claims as false and defamatory.
“I want to caution those who are quick to brand anyone a sell-out. I was not bought by NRM. I withdrew because I had no funds and the party failed to support its candidates. NUP gave us empty promises,” he emphasized.
Mpaka’s exit comes at a time when NUP is already facing growing internal criticism over failure to support candidates, poor coordination, and repeated accusations of abandoning aspirants in key battleground constituencies.
His withdrawal now leaves the Mbarara City race open, and political analysts say his departure may reshape the dynamics of the contest, especially if he decides to join another opposition party.
