"I Was Not Kidnapped," Says NUP's Bukedea MP Aspirant Asio Florence

KAMPALA, UGANDA – The National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer for the Bukedea Woman MP seat, Asio Florence, has publicly refuted claims that she was kidnapped, instead revealing that she withdrew from the race due to family pressure.

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Her statement comes after a tense week where her party leadership reported her missing just hours before her scheduled nomination, an incident that had sparked allegations of political intimidation.

In a video statement, Asio addressed her party’s allegations, stating she withdrew from the race due to family pressure as she is a daughter of Speaker Anita Among and was not kidnapped.

“I was not kidnapped as alleged by my party leadership. I pulled out of the Bukedea Woman MP race due to family pressure, being that I am a daughter to the Rt Hon. Speaker Anita Among,” Asio clarified.

This revelation adds a dramatic familial dimension to the political contest, as the seat she was seeking is currently held by her mother, Anita Among, who is also contesting to retain it.

Asio’s confirmation follows earlier claims from NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, who had stated that the aspirant and several of her team members vanished on Wednesday morning while traveling from Soroti to Bukedea for her nomination.

Kyagulanyi had reported that their phones were switched off and that relatives were unable to locate them, fueling fears of foul play ahead of the upcoming elections.

Prior to the nomination day, Florence Asio (NUP), and other aspirants, including Norma Susan Otai (FDC), and Akol Hellen Odeke (Independent), were allegedly removed from the voters’ register by parish tribunals under disputed circumstances.

Consequently, on Wednesday last week, the Electoral Commission officials in Bukedea declared Anita Among unopposed for the Woman MP seat after no other candidates presented themselves for nomination.

The announcement was met with condemnation from opposition leaders and residents in Bukedea, who argued that the series of events undermined the credibility of the electoral process in the region.