The political landscape in Uganda is often fraught with internal party struggles, and the National Unity Platform (NUP) is currently experiencing its share. At the heart of a recent storm is Saudah Madada, a figure whose political journey has taken an unexpected turn, sparking accusations of unfairness and neglect from within the party's ranks. The controversy highlights a growing sentiment among some NUP members that "front soldiers"—those who have actively campaigned and sacrificed for the party—are being sidelined.
The Mobiliser Marginalised — NUP’s Balancing Act Between Valor and Politics
When Saudah Madada stepped onto the campaign trail in Kampala Central, her energy crackled like electricity—sharp, unapologetic, uncontained. Backed by her reputation as a tireless mobiliser and loyal People Power foot soldier, many believed she’d carry the NUP torch into the Kampala City Council. The party, however, had other plans.
NUP officially endorsed Eva Kyazike as the candidate for Kampala Central woman councillor ahead of the 2026 elections, bypassing Madada. The decision left her supporters reeling and rekindled accusations that the party sidelines its earliest and most committed activists.
“We have stood with the party through thick and thin,” lamented one anonymous member. “To see people who have just joined being given priority is disheartening.”
Madada’s political story extends far beyond campaign trails. Her faith in NUP was forged in fire. In 2018, she risked her body and spirit during the Arua by-election—the campaign left her with lifelong injuries and of course, it cost her and many others dearly. But her scars—physical and emotional—only hardened her reputation as “General Saudah.”
Her activism pushed her into Kampala City Hall when she accepted a position as Personal Assistant to KCCA Speaker Zahara Luyirika—a move many saw as a logical progression for someone so steeped in mobilization. Soon, though, her confrontational style became too combustible. Several reports accused her of barge-boarding meetings, verbally attacking colleagues, and even physically assaulting fellow NUP Lord Councillors like Councillor Kenny Male, pushing him during a council session. Such behavior reportedly cost her the PA role and widened fissures between her and NUP's leadership.
Many at City Hall saw her conduct as a reflection not just of her aggression but of the problematic dynamics inside the party—where loyalty isn’t always rewarded, and grassroots champions can be sidelined or discarded.
Despite the backlash, Madada’ loyalty never wavered. “This struggle is real with no salaries… [but] Kyagulanyi facilitates the activities very well,” she reaffirmed, standing by her convictions, scars, and all.
Her predicament raises questions for NUP: How do they balance discipline and strategy with loyalty and sacrifice? How do they manage rising movements without alienating the foot soldiers who built them?
Madada stands at a crossroads: Will she seek change from within, or will the growing sense of injustice push her to seek new alliances?
Her journey is both inspiring and cautionary — a reflection of the sacrifices made by those who believed in change, and the bitter realities of party politics that often leave grassroots mobilisers sidelined. As internal rifts widen, her story poses an uncomfortable question for NUP. Her story underscores the challenge of preserving unity without sacrificing the very spirit that propelled a movement into being.
Whether Saudah Madada stays in NUP or is pushed out by frustration remains uncertain. What is clear is that her experience has exposed the fragility of trust within Uganda’s biggest opposition party — and how quickly revolutionary zeal can give way to disillusionment.
