It’s Not Us Who Poisoned You!! NUP Betrays Shamim Malende Despite Her Dedication to the Party and Sacrifices for Ugandans

In a shocking turn of events, the National Unity Platform (NUP) has been accused of betraying Shamim Malende, the current Kampala Woman Member of Parliament, despite her unwavering dedication to the party and the sacrifices she has made in support of Uganda’s political opposition.

Sources within the party have revealed that NUP is planning to drop Malende in favor of Zahara Luyirika, the Speaker of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), as its candidate for the upcoming elections. The move has sent shockwaves through the political community, especially given Malende’s significant contributions to NUP’s cause.

Malende, who has been an integral part of the NUP since its inception, has faced multiple hardships in her political career. Long before she became a Member of Parliament, she was at the forefront of Uganda’s opposition politics. In 2021, while actively participating in the NUP-led struggle against the ruling government, Malende was reportedly poisoned, an attack that left her severely ill.

Despite the physical and emotional toll this had on her, Malende continued her fight, undeterred by the risks to her own safety. Her commitment to the cause was clear—she was willing to put her life on the line for the values she believed in.

Beyond her personal sacrifices, Malende has been a staunch advocate for the rights of political prisoners. As a practicing lawyer, she has offered free legal services to numerous NUP supporters who found themselves incarcerated under politically motivated charges. Her dedication to the cause of justice and her efforts to provide legal representation to NUP’s political prisoners earned her respect and admiration within the party and among ordinary Ugandans alike.

“Shamim has been a tireless defender of the oppressed, providing legal aid to those who were wrongfully imprisoned by a regime that targets political dissidents,” said one of her supporters.

“She risked her own safety to ensure that the voices of the voiceless were heard. To abandon her now is a betrayal of everything she has fought for.”

Yet, despite Malende’s longstanding commitment to NUP and her active participation in the party’s activities, recent reports suggest that the party is now poised to back Zahara Luyirika in her bid for the Kampala Woman MP seat. Luyirika, currently the KCCA Speaker, is said to have the backing of key figures within NUP, including party president Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine.

Sources indicate that Luyirika’s close ties to Bobi Wine and his wife, Barbara Kyagulanyi, have played a central role in her ascension within the party ranks.

Many have questioned the timing of NUP’s decision, especially considering Malende’s sacrifices for the party. “Shamim has been a loyal member of NUP through thick and thin. She stood with the party when it wasn’t easy, when many others were too afraid to do so,” said a close ally of Malende. “Now, she’s being pushed aside for someone who has no such history of sacrifice.”

Additionally, Malende’s long-standing health problems, which she has been battling since 2021, have been used against her. NUP party spokespersons, including Waiswa Mufumbiro, have implied that Malende’s health struggles have hindered her ability to serve her constituents effectively, despite her continued engagement and efforts to fulfill her responsibilities.

However, many view this as an unfair critique, particularly given the fact that Malende’s illness, which was reportedly a result of being poisoned while in the opposition, has been a major source of personal hardship.

The party’s shifting loyalty has left many of Malende’s supporters disillusioned and frustrated. Some argue that NUP’s decision to back Luyirika—who is perceived by many as a political insider—over Malende, who has been a vocal and visible advocate for the party’s core values, is a betrayal of everything NUP purports to stand for.

With NUP yet to make an official announcement regarding the endorsement of Luyirika, the internal drama continues to unfold. But one thing is clear: the party’s abandonment of Malende, despite her years of service, has left a deep sense of betrayal among those who once saw her as a beacon of hope for the opposition.

As the race for the Kampala Woman MP seat intensifies, it remains to be seen how this rift within NUP will play out, and whether Malende’s loyal base will rally behind her or turn their support elsewhere.