On Friday, the National Unity Platform (NUP) celebrated the addition of former Jinja East Member of Parliament, Hon. Paul Mwiru, to their party. Mwiru's decision to join NUP came after his departure from the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), led by Maj Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu. Prior to his time with ANT, Mwiru had also crossed over from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
While changing political parties can have advantages and disadvantages for a politician, this article will focus on the potential challenges that await Hon. Paul Mwiru following his repeated party switches. Some of the hurdles he is likely to face include:
Loss of Trust and Credibility: Switching parties can create the perception of opportunism or a lack of core principles. Mwiru's constituents in Jinja East may view his move to NUP as a calculated decision to further his personal interests rather than a commitment to a specific ideology or constituency. This can erode trust and credibility, making it harder for him to gain support from his usual base and to attract new supporters.
Alienation of Party Members: Party loyalty is crucial in politics, particularly within NUP, where loyalty supersedes all. Sources within the party suggest that dissent is not tolerated, with the party leader's word being final. Therefore, Mwiru's quick transition from ANT to NUP may create animosity among former party members and supporters who may feel betrayed or abandoned. This could lead to isolation within the new party, making it challenging for Mwiru to build strong alliances and effectively work within the party's structure.
Inconsistency in Policy Positions: Changing parties often requires adopting new policy positions that align with the new party's platform. This can result in accusations of inconsistency or flip-flopping on important issues. Voters may question Mwiru's sincerity and ability to make principled decisions, which can undermine his reputation and electability.
Difficulty in Primary Elections: With two and a half years until the next general elections, Mwiru will have to face off against the former NUP representative, Mugaya Paul Geraldson, in party primaries to secure the nomination for Jinja City. Mugaya has been actively campaigning since 2021 as NUP's prospective candidate. While the top leadership of NUP may support Mwiru, he may find it challenging to gain the necessary recognition and support within the party to secure the nomination.
Despite these challenges, Mwiru's party switching may potentially increase his support and re-election prospects. In the previous general elections, NUP's presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, won against the National Resistance Movement's candidate, Gen Museveni, in Jinja City. Additionally, NUP secured three out of six elective positions in the city, with FDC winning two and NRM claiming one. These factors could provide Mwiru with an advantage if he wins the party primaries.
As the political landscape unfolds and campaigns resume in the coming years, Hon. Paul Mwiru will face an uphill battle to navigate the potential repercussions of his party switching while striving to secure his place within NUP and retain support from his constituents in Jinja East.
