Former Mbale City Mayor, Zandya Mafabi Mutwalibu, has announced he will run as an independent candidate for the city’s mayoral seat after being expelled from the National Unity Platform (NUP) for defying party rules.

Mafabi joined NUP earlier this year after leaving the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) due to internal disagreements. He sought the NUP nomination for mayor but lost to Hajji Mansa Musa, who was officially nominated on Friday, September 5th, 2025. Following the loss, Mafabi declared his intention to contest independently.

Speaking to media on September 6th, 2025, Fazali Nabende, NUP’s Bugisu region coordinator, said that according to party guidelines, members who lose primaries and then challenge the party’s official candidate for the same psosition automatically loss their membership.

He urged NUP supporters to back Hajji Musa Mansa and distance themselves from Mafabi.

Attempts to reach Mafabi for comment were unsuccessful, as all his known phone numbers were unreachable.

With Mafabi now in the race as an independent, alongside NUP’s Mansa Musa, FDC’s Cassim Namugali, and NRM’s Vincent Magombe, reports say the contest could see a split in votes, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the election in Mbale City.

Mafabi, who crossed from his former party FDC to NUP earlier this year, has a strong local profile, and his independent candidacy is expected to attract supporters dissatisfied with the NUP primary outcome.

This move makes the mayoral race even more interesting, as people watch how NUP supporters respond to Mafabi running as an independent.