In a fiery political broadside, the Masaka Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Ahamada Washaki, has sharply criticized the National Unity Platform (NUP) for what he describes as a dramatic and hypocritical reversal in their stance toward the Interparty Organization for Dialogue (IPOD)—a platform they once vocally opposed.
Earlier this week, NUP shocked many of their supporters and political observers when they formally notified the IPOD Secretariat of their intention to join the organization. This move came as a surprise to the public, given NUP’s long-standing narrative that IPOD was merely a political smokescreen used to legitimize the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, which they oppose.
Speaking on the development, Washaki, who represents President Yoweri Museveni in Masaka City, did not mince words. With characteristic sarcasm, he lambasted NUP’s decision to finally join IPOD after years of condemnation and abstention.
“Now that NUP has come back to their senses by recognising that there’s no way opposition can succeed without working with the NRM Government in IPOD,” Washaki said, in a statement laced with irony and political jabs.
“Account for the Money First” – Washaki Demands Transparency
But Washaki wasn’t finished. He went a step further, demanding that NUP come clean on all the funds it has received from both the government and the Ugandan public before attempting to claim a seat at the IPOD table. According to him, transparency starts with internal accountability—something he argues NUP has yet to demonstrate.
“We are saying, welcome to IPOD but you should also give accountability for the earlier funds received. As a political organization, all your business is for the people of Uganda. It’s just fair and obvious that you account for all the money you have received from them before returning to pick more,” Washaki insisted.
This demand touches on broader concerns in Ugandan politics, where both opposition and ruling party actors are increasingly under scrutiny over how public resources are used, especially in election seasons.
“Protest Vote? Cut That Crap” – RCC Mocks NUP’s Rhetoric
Taking aim at another core element of NUP’s political messaging, Washaki turned his attention to what he called the “myth” of the protest vote—a term often used by NUP to mobilize disenfranchised Ugandans who feel let down by the current system.
“Protest vote? Cut that crap. Unless if it’s me who is failing to translate the English. I would have believed it if they had stayed away from the election, but for as long as they are taking part, then there is no protest there. That’s how I understand it,” he stated bluntly.
In his view, there’s no credibility in talking about a protest vote while simultaneously contesting in the very electoral process one claims to be illegitimate. He labeled the entire narrative as “hot air” and challenged NUP to be more consistent in its messaging.
Kyagulanyi’s “Anarchy Message” Under Fire
The RCC also raised alarm over NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu’s recent statements during campaign rallies. According to Washaki, Kyagulanyi’s speeches—which include calls for youth to protest in the streets if election results do not go in his favor—amount to dangerous incitement.
Washaki accused Kyagulanyi of encouraging insurrection by urging supporters to prepare for mass action akin to recent youth-led protests in Nepal that led to the resignation of a sitting prime minister.
“He is spreading an insurrection while we watch. At the end of the day, the whole country will suffer when we lose this peace that we boast of. That’s why the police should keenly watch so as not to let this country degenerate into another Libya,” the RCC warned, drawing comparisons to countries that have descended into chaos due to uncontained political instability.
In Mubende, Kyagulanyi reportedly urged locals to join others in Kampala to challenge the government if the Electoral Commission does not declare him the winner in the upcoming elections—a message Washaki believes could plunge the country into unrest.
Call for Voter Vigilance and Informed Decision-Making
Despite his criticism of the opposition, Washaki ended his remarks with a call for peaceful participation and informed decision-making ahead of the January 14th presidential elections. He urged Ugandans to read and evaluate the manifestos of all the candidates critically before casting their votes.
Among the presidential hopefuls vying for the country’s top seat are incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, Gregory Mugisha Oyera, Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, and others.
Washaki, clearly backing his boss, emphasized that Museveni’s promise to increase the Parish Development Model (PDM) package from UGX 100 million to UGX 300 million per parish per year is the most compelling and realistic offer to Ugandans so far.
“This is the most exciting manifesto promise for the population amongst all,” he said, claiming that the initiative has the power to transform grassroots economies and bring services closer to the people.
