Fresh tension is reportedly brewing inside the National Unity Platform (NUP) as a section of party foot soldiers allegedly plan a major protest march to the party headquarters over what they describe as growing isolation from leaders they helped campaign for.
According to sources familiar with the developments, some grassroots mobilizers who dedicated their time and resources to the party's political activities now feel abandoned and sidelined after the election season.
The frustration is said to have intensified following claims that several senior party leaders have restricted access to their offices, making it difficult for foot soldiers to meet them or present their concerns.
One of the leaders being mentioned in the allegations is Kampala Lord Mayor Ssalongo Ronald Balimwezo. Sources claim that Balimwezo reportedly instructed security personnel at City Hall not to allow foot soldiers unrestricted access to his office, allegedly insisting that the campaign period is over and that his focus is now on serving Kampala residents who entrusted him with leadership.
The discontent does not reportedly end there.
Sources further allege that NUP Deputy President for Northern Uganda, Dr Lina Zedriga Waru, directed individuals providing security at the party headquarters to limit access by foot soldiers, claiming that their presence was affecting private engagements with visitors seeking official meetings.
As anger reportedly grows among some supporters, clandestine mobilization efforts are said to be underway for what organizers are describing as a "one million march" to the party headquarters. The reported objective is to seek answers from senior party leaders, including Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, Dr Lina Zedriga Waru, and Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo regarding the concerns being raised by grassroots mobilizers.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain a response from NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, reportedly hit a dead end as he is said to be away on official engagements in the United States.
At the time of publication, the claims had not been independently verified, and no official statement had been issued by the party leadership regarding the reported dissatisfaction among some foot soldiers. However, political observers will be closely watching to see whether the situation develops into a significant internal challenge for Uganda's leading opposition party.