Andrew Mwenda blasts Ssenyonyi for claiming he picked wrong nomination forms for NUP presidential race

Journalist Andrew Mwenda has criticized National Unity Platform (NUP) spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi that for claiming he picked wrong nomination forms for the party’s 2021 presidential flag bearer.

Recently, Mwenda, a famous ally of President Yoweri Museveni, registered as an NUP member.

He also announced he would challenge Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine for the party’s presidency and 2021 presidential flag bearer.

But days later, Ssenyonyi claimed Mwenda had picked the wrong forms.

Although the party seemed to have endorsed Bobi Wine as a sole candidate, Mwenda’s bold move made NUP open up the space.

And when Ssenyonyi came to discuss this decision, he said Mwenda had picked forms different from the position he sought.

 “The delegates conference which took place in July last year [2019] elected Kyagulanyi as a leader of NUP but not a flag bearer for NUP.

Therefore, as NUP, our offices will be open on Friday, August 14 for those who want to run for party presidential flag bearer to pick nomination forms, and on August 21, we shall be closing,” Ssenyonyi announced.

“Andrew Mwenda can come and pick forms if he wants but those that he took are not for party presidential flag-bearer, instead they are for MPs, youth leaders and councillors.”

But, to prove Ssenyonyi wrong, Mwenda has now shared the forms he picked.

“These are the forms I picked and are now filling for presidential candidate on NUP ticket!” tweeted Mwenda.

“Yet spokesperson, Joel Senyonyi, had the audacity to claim I picked forms for youths and local councils. Can he show how this form is not for president but for local councils?”

Mwenda even suspected foul play in the NUP, accusing it’s administration of veering off the principle of transparency.

“Leaders of a party that claims to fight fraud and manipulation should lead by example and act with integrity, ” he further wrote.

“I informed the young NUP officials I wanted presidential candidate forms. They were well organized and gave me the right forms! Why then is NUP changing goal posts?”