National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has announced a new leadership transition within Uganda's leading opposition party, naming Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe as the new acting President of NUP.
The announcement brings to a close the four-month tenure of Dr. Lina Zedriga Waru, who has been serving as acting president during Kyagulanyi's absence.
In his message, Kyagulanyi praised Dr. Zedriga for her leadership, saying she had successfully guided the party through a critical period while keeping its mission and momentum alive.
"For four months, Dr. Lina Zedriga Waru has been acting President of our Party. During this period, she has steered the party well and kept the revolution alive. We're all very grateful for her dedication and service," Kyagulanyi said.
He confirmed that Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe, the party's Deputy President for Eastern Uganda, will immediately assume the responsibilities of acting president.
"As her tenure comes to an end, I am pleased to announce that Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe, Deputy President Eastern Region, will be taking over as acting President of the National Unity Platform. I wish him well and request all leaders and comrades to accord him the necessary support," he added.
Dr. Zedriga assumed the acting presidency earlier this year after Kyagulanyi temporarily delegated his powers while undertaking party-related engagements abroad. During her tenure, she presided over party affairs, represented NUP at official engagements, and continued mobilization efforts despite a politically tense environment.
Nambeshe, who serves as NUP's Deputy President for Eastern Uganda and is one of the party's senior leaders, now takes over the acting role as the opposition party continues preparations for its next phase of political activities.
The latest transition underscores NUP's emphasis on continuity in leadership and its constitutional delegation of responsibilities whenever the substantive party president is unavailable.