Kampala, Uganda – The National Unity Platform (NUP) has officially launched a nationwide fundraising campaign, urging supporters and well-wishers to financially power the party’s electoral preparations.
Speaking during a press briefing at the party’s headquarters in Kamwokya today, NUP leaders emphasized that the initiative will be a voluntary exercise open to all Ugandans at home and in the diaspora, targeting both small and large contributions.
Party spokespersons, joined by legislators and grassroots coordinators, said the goal is to build a sustainable, transparent, and people-driven electoral engine free from the grip of elite capture.
“We have no access to state funds like the NRM party. But we have something stronger — the people. This campaign is for every Ugandan who believes in a new Uganda,” one senior NUP official stated.
The party also clarified that the money raised will go towards campaign logistics, mobilisation, media outreach, and supporting candidates in hard-to-reach areas.
In a bold move that has further set tongues wagging across the political aisle, NUP announced that all aspirants seeking elective positions under its banner in 2026 will not be required to pay nomination or expression of interest fees, a stark contrast to what’s happening in other parties like the NRM, where fees are pegged at Shs20 million for presidential aspirants.
“We are not selling leadership. We are opening the door to service, not turning it into a cash-for-power scheme,” said NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, in a statement shared on social media.
The announcement has already drawn praise from youth-led pressure groups and civil society organisations, who see it as a progressive step towards levelling the playing field for low-income but passionate leaders.
NUP officials also hinted at leveraging digital platforms and diaspora networks to widen the fundraising pool. With a significant portion of NUP’s support base residing abroad, especially in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and South Africa, the party believes the campaign could yield strong returns.
Secure digital wallets and mobile money codes are expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks, complete with transparency dashboards that will show how every shilling is utilized.
With Uganda heading into what is likely to be its most contentious election in decades, NUP’s approach appears to fuse moral clarity with financial pragmatism. The party’s strategy could attract undecided voters who are weary of traditional patronage-based politics.
“NUP has shown that fundraising is not about money alone, it’s about trust, purpose, and ownership. This may redefine campaign financing in Uganda,” said political analyst Sarah Tendo.
NUP says it will soon launch weekly accountability briefings and public donation drives in districts across the country. Meanwhile, all eyes remain on how the Electoral Commission and rival parties respond to the momentum this campaign is generating.
With mounting pressure on transparency, youth empowerment, and leadership renewal, this grassroots fundraising effort could prove to be more than a campaign; it could be a movement.
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