Kampala, Uganda – National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda’s leading opposition party, has announced major progress in its ongoing grassroots fundraising campaign, collecting over Shs600 million in cash and securing pledges exceeding Shs1 billion. This update was provided by Christine Nakimwero, NUP’s National Fundraising Secretary and Woman MP for Kiboga District, during a press briefing in Kampala.
Nakimwero revealed that the initiative, launched earlier this month, is part of a broader plan to raise at least Shs9 billion to support NUP’s 2026 general election campaign infrastructure, including mobilization, candidate support, and parallel vote protection systems.
“We are humbled by the response from Ugandans at home and abroad. This is a people-driven movement, and once again the people are stepping up,” she said.
NUP’s approach marks a sharp departure from Uganda’s traditional political financing methods, which have often depended on wealthy individuals, foreign backers, or state-linked patronage networks. Instead, NUP is seeking small and medium contributions from ordinary supporters.
In a model similar to U.S.-style grassroots political campaigns, the party has rolled out a tiered donation system, where supporters contribute through mobile money, bank transfers, and crowdfunding platforms. Branded merchandise, including T-shirts, stickers, caps, and event tickets, also double as fundraising tools.
“Some people contribute Shs5,000, others Shs500,000 it all adds up,” Nakimwero said.
“This is not about big pockets. It’s about political ownership.”
Following its explosive performance in the 2021 general elections, where it secured 57 parliamentary seats despite being a newly registered party, NUP is determined to solidify and expand its reach in 2026. Party insiders say a key part of this will be building an independent financial base that can support nationwide candidate nominations, media and messaging campaigns, election observers and polling agents
The fundraising is being coordinated through a new unit within the party secretariat, supported by diaspora chapters, particularly in the UK, U.S., South Africa, and the Middle East, where NUP has strong support among Ugandan expatriates.
NUP’s Shs9 billion target is modest compared to National Resistance Movement (NRM), which in previous election cycles reportedly spent hundreds of billions on campaigns. NRM’s financial power stems from its deep-rooted networks in government institutions and strong connections to business interests.
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) have also attempted fundraising campaigns, but none have sustained a structured, highly publicized grassroots appeal like NUP.
In 2020, FDC raised about Shs300 million in a similar drive, but internal splits and financial accountability questions weakened its momentum. In contrast, NUP has emphasized transparency, issuing digital receipts, livestreaming donation events, and releasing updates like Nakimwero’s to build trust.
Nakimwero assured the public that a full financial report will be issued quarterly and that the party has set up a Finance Oversight Committee, comprised of professionals, to handle audits and public reporting.
Speaking to supporters outside NUP’s Kamwokya headquarters, 26-year-old boda boda rider Samuel Sserunjogi said he had donated Shs10,000 last week.
“It may be little, but it’s from my heart. I want change, and I’m tired of waiting for others to fight for us.”
Meanwhile, NUP diaspora chapters in Boston, Pretoria, and Dubai have hosted virtual fundraising events, some raising over $20,000 (approx. Shs75 million) each in just one night.
NUP’s fundraising campaign is expected to continue through to early 2026, with major drives planned at party delegate conferences, concerts, church gatherings, and online spaces.
Political analysts say the effort is not just about money, it’s also about messaging, projecting NUP as a movement of ordinary people willing to back their cause materially.
“When people give, they invest emotionally,” said political scientist Dr. Sarah Kagoda. “NUP is creating ownership in the movement and in doing so, building resilience.”
As Uganda marches toward another high-stakes election in 2026, political parties are rethinking how they engage the electorate not just with slogans, but with structures. NUP’s ambitious Shs9 billion grassroots fundraising effort is a significant test of whether citizen-funded democracy can thrive in a system historically dominated by elite patronage.
So far, the signs suggest Ugandans are ready to put their money where their vote is.
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