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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 62623, member: 636"] The National Unity Platform rejected criticism of its candidate selection after dropping several educated incumbent lawmakers from the 2026 ballot. John Mary Ssebuwufu from the party election committee said on Tuesday that grassroots backing carries more weight than academic credentials or political track records. The formula assigns 60 percent to community support and reserves 40 percent for technical qualifications such as education and experience. The party replaced Busiro East lawmaker Medard Sseggona with singer Mathias Walukaga despite the incumbent's legal background. Ssebuwufu told critics that serving in Parliament through the party ticket should be viewed as a privilege rather than a permanent right. He said that candidates who lost their nominations should not consider the decision a personal betrayal or failure on the part of the opposition movement. [/QUOTE]