The National Unity Platform (NUP) parliamentary contender Peter Mpaka has withdrawn from the Mbarara City North MP race and announced his exit from the party, citing financial constraints and lack of campaign support from the NUP leadership.
Mpaka, who was nominated to run on the NUP ticket, said he could not continue in a race he is “not financially prepared for,” adding that the party had earlier promised to facilitate his campaigns but failed to do so.
“I am unable to fund the campaigns financially, and the party has not provided the support they promised. I cannot go into a race I am sure I will lose simply because I lack resources,” Mpaka said in a letter addressed to the NUP president and secretary general through the party’s Vice President for Western Uganda.
His withdrawal adds to a growing list of individuals who were perceived to be NUP members but have since joined the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Mpaka did not confirm whether he intends to seek another leadership position but emphasized that he has officially quit NUP.
Political observers note that his departure highlights wider challenges within opposition parties regarding campaign financing, especially in constituencies considered financially demanding.
With Mpaka out of the race, NUP has no candidate for the Mbarara City MP seat.
