NTV Journalist Wandera grabs NUP flag for Masindi Municipality MP race, contender quits party
He further announced that he had withdrawn his support for the party, expressing doubts about Wandera’s loyalty and capacity to represent NUP.
Masindi: The National Unity Platform (NUP) on Tuesday released its much-anticipated list of parliamentary flag-bearers for the 2026 general elections across the country.
In the Bunyoro sub-region, the party expanded its influence by endorsing several new candidates including in constituencies where it did not field any contenders during the 2021 elections.
One of the most hotly contested races was for the Masindi Municipality parliamentary seat, where three candidates competed for the NUP ticket.
Steven Wandera, a reporter with NTV Greater Masindi and popularly known as Owanaira, emerged as the official flag-bearer, beating stiff competition from renowned activist Rogers Kanti and Job Alinaitwe.
Speaking to this publication on Tuesday, Wandera expressed gratitude after being declared the party’s flag-bearer.
“This flag doesn’t belong to me, but to the NUP supporters those who want change and a new Uganda. Let’s stand together and redeem our country,” he said. “Parliament has failed to come to the youth, so let us go to Parliament.”
He called on his former rivals to join his campaign, acknowledging that not everyone could receive the party’s endorsement.
“I’m appealing to my contenders to support me in this journey because leadership comes from God, and the flag couldn’t be given to all contenders but to one,” he added.
However, Rogers Kanti described the party’s decision as a betrayal, claiming he had invested heavily in building the party in Bunyoro subregion. “This is a disgrace. I spent a lot of money in building the party in Bunyoro subregion, but now they’ve abandoned me,” Kanti said.
He further announced that he had withdrawn his support for the party, expressing doubts about Wandera’s loyalty and capacity to represent NUP. “Wandera has only been in the party for three months. I cannot work for a party that is betraying me,” he added.
Elsewhere in Masindi District, NUP confirmed Rogers Wycliffe Kasaija as the unopposed flag-bearer for Bujenje County, and Moses Byaruhanga for Buruli County.
NUP did not field candidates in some of these constituencies during the 2021 elections, marking a notable shift in its strategy and regional outreach as it builds momentum ahead of 2026.
With these endorsements, NUP is demonstrating a growing organizational presence and renewed momentum in the Bunyoro sub-region ahead of the 2026 general elections.
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