Table of Contents
What is the NUP Podcast?
The National Unity Platform (NUP) officially launched its own digital talk show titled NUP Podcast on Sunday, November 23, 2025. The program is streamed live on YouTube and features long-form conversations with party leaders, parliamentarians, regional mobilizers, and grassroots activists. The goal is to share personal stories, campaign experiences, and the challenges faced by opposition figures as Uganda heads into the crucial 2026 general elections.
Who Hosts the NUP Podcast?
The podcast is hosted by Muhwezi Joshua Lawel, a young Ugandan lawyer, former Makerere University guild leader, and prominent youth activist within NUP. Lawel previously served as Guild Minister for Off-Campus Affairs (2019–2020), represented Uganda in international debate competitions, and has contributed to policy discussions on platforms such as Tuzungumzie Africa and the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA). Known for his sharp communication skills and grassroots mobilization work, especially in Northern Uganda, Lawel represents the new generation of leaders the party is empowering.
When Did the NUP Podcast Launch and What Was the First Episode?
The podcast premiered on November 23, 2025, with the debut episode featuring NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine). The episode reviewed the ongoing presidential campaign trail, fundraising challenges, and the party’s strategy moving forward. Future episodes are expected to air weekly.
Why Did NUP Decide to Launch Its Own Podcast Now?
The launch comes at a time when NUP accuses mainstream media outlets of systemic bias and government control. Only days earlier, on November 21, 2025, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya and several parliamentary candidates boycotted a high-profile political debate organized by NBS Television, leaving empty chairs on stage. The party leaders described NBS and other major stations as “captured” by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). By creating its own platform, NUP aims to bypass traditional gatekeepers and speak directly to supporters through YouTube and other social media channels.
How Does the NUP Podcast Fit into the Party’s Broader Media Strategy?
This is not NUP’s first independent media venture. The party has previously relied heavily on Facebook, YouTube, X (Twitter), and TikTok to reach millions of young voters. Recent announcements also hint at an upcoming NUP-owned radio station. The podcast adds a structured, in-depth format that allows longer, unedited conversations that mainstream television and radio often refuse to air.
What Topics Will the NUP Podcast Cover?
Episodes will focus on:
- Personal stories of political persecution, arrests, and harassment
- Campaign experiences across Uganda’s regions
- Policy discussions on youth unemployment, education, health, and governance
- The human side of the struggle for democratic change
- Updates on legal battles, funding challenges, and election preparedness
How Can People Watch or Listen to the NUP Podcast?
The show streams live on the official NUP Podcast YouTube channel (@NupPodcast). Episodes remain available on-demand after the channel, and clips are widely shared across NUP’s social media pages on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
As the 2026 elections approach, the NUP Podcast positions itself as an alternative voice in a media environment the opposition considers heavily restricted. For millions of Ugandans seeking unfiltered perspectives from the country’s largest opposition party, it has quickly become a must-watch platform.
