Tempers got high within the National Unity Platform (NUP) as Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine and the party’s Principal, engaged in a heated conflict with his elder brother, Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, also the Chief Mobilizer. The rift escalated as the struggle for influence and financial backing intensified.
On a dramatic Wednesday morning, Bobi Wine hastily convened a high-level meeting at the party’s headquarters in Makerere Kavule, attended by key figures such as Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Chairman Nyanzi, and David Lewis Rubongoya, the party Secretary General. Security was heightened upon Bobi Wine’s arrival, with foot soldiers and political activist Habib Buwembo reinforcing the atmosphere.
Sources revealed that Bobi Wine called the meeting after learning that Nyanzi had gathered all NUP councilors in Kampala, including those who lost in the 2021 local council elections, to strategize on winning the Kampala Lord Mayor Seat in 2026.
Chairman Nyanzi had already initiated meetings with city tycoons, seeking financial support for his impending Lord Mayor bid. Concerns were raised as evidence emerged of Nyanzi meeting known NRM supporters, raising suspicions within the party.
The meeting, lasting nearly five hours, reportedly ended with Chairman Nyanzi leaving after disagreements on critical decisions. Bobi Wine allegedly directed Nyanzi to halt his covert mobilization for the Lord Mayor slot, citing potential damage to the party’s image and the initiation of premature campaigns by some party members.
Denying the accusations, Nyanzi claimed to be streamlining grassroots mobilization drives, emphasizing the need to compete with rivals like President Museveni’s NRM. The tension peaked when Bobi Wine threatened to remove Nyanzi from the Chief Mobilizer position, leading to Nyanzi storming out of the meeting.
Undeterred, Nyanzi assured his supporters that, even if denied the NUP Lord Mayor ticket, he would run as an independent, leveraging his experience and connections within the NRM to secure victory against incumbent Lukwago.
Despite the fallout with Nyanzi, Bobi Wine, Rubongoya, and Ssenyonyi continued their meeting, later extending support to the family of Daniel Bbosa Lwamwo, the assassinated Endiga clan head.
Internal pressures surfaced as NUP leaders accused Bobi Wine of turning the party into a family affair. Allegations emerged of a meeting between Nyanzi and Masaka city mayor Florence Namayanja Mukasa, aiming to influence the defeat of former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga in 2026.
In a further twist, NUP announced Mpuuga’s dismissal from the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner, citing corruption in parliament. However, Bobi Wine faced criticism, with Mpuuga’s camp claiming the ongoing Uganda Parliament Exhibition targeted Mpuuga and his associates, allegedly facilitated by Bobi Wine and Ssenyonyi.
As the political drama unfolds, Nyanzi remains resolute, pledging to contest the Kampala Lord Mayor position in 2026, despite the internal strife within NUP.
