Kawempe North Member of Parliament Al hajj Latif Ssebagala has stepped down from the Kampala Lord Mayoral race, The Tower Post reports.

Ssebagala who had been selected as the flag bearer for the Bobi Wine led National Unity Platform (NUP) said his decision was in a bid to maintain unity in the opposition as they gear up to dislodge President Museveni and the NRM.

This comes days after the NUP Electoral Commission seconded Ssebagala and sidelined popular musician Joseph Mayanja alias Jose Chameleone who was gunning for the same position.

Unconfirmed reports had earlier purported that the singer was sidelined for being a catholic and not having international exposure, an allegation that was dismissed by the party.

But the talk about division in the NUP according to financial lines, religion and loyalty to the NUP Principal (Bobi Wine) kept making rounds which was seen as a precursor to division within the party.

Ssebagala’s decision leaves Jose Chameleone as NUP’s favorite for Kampala Lord Mayor position.

If approved, he will face off with Forum for Democratic Change – FDC’s Erias Lukwago who is the incumbent and retired singer Dan Kazibwe – Ragga Dee who is with the ruling National Resistance Movement -NRM.