Storm Brewing In NUP: Bobi Trashes Higher Mpuuga Abusers Nambooze, Ssewungu, Nsamba For Kivumbi

A storm is already brewing within the opposition-led National Unity Platform (NUP) after party leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, appointed Butambala’s Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi deputy president for the Buganda region.

This move has left many loyalists feeling betrayed, particularly since Muwanga replaced Mathias Mpuuga, a close friend who had supported him financially for survival considering he was unemployed until the same Mpuuga helped Muwanga to become an MP through a by-election.

The appointment came after a yearlong personal battle Bobi Wine wedged on Mpuuga, with many asserting that Muwanga’s loyalty was a key factor in his selection.

However, Muwanga’s journey to this position was not without controversy. Before December 2023, he initially campaigned for the position of Leader of Opposition (LoP) from Mpuuga whom he had vigorously framed but lost to Nakawa West’s Joel Ssenyonyi, who proved to be more loyal to the appointing authority. Undeterred, Muwanga set his sights on becoming the deputy president for the Buganda region, again vying to replace his initial breadwinner, Mpuuga.

In the race of the LoP, Muwanga was with John Baptist Nambeshe (deputy president, Easter region) Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality, and Mukono Municipality’s Betty Nambooze.

However, when it came to this position, Muwanga faced stiff competition from other NUP supporters and MPs, including Betty Nambooze, Patrick Nsamba Oshabe (Kassanda North),  Francis Katabaazi (Kalungu East,) Joseph Ssewungu (Kalungu West), Evans Kanyike (Bukoto East), Goreth Namugga (Mawogola South), and Florence Namayanja (Mayor, Masaka city.)

The competition was fierce, with many candidates using media stations with a common weapon being hurling insults at Mpuuga, Bobi’s most foe on the planet earth in battle to catch Bobi Wine’s attention for the elevation.

Others like Nambooze, Kanyike, Namayanja, etc went as far as starting to donate goodies like goats, bunches of bananas, sacks of sugar, rice, etc to appease the big man who makes the last decisions in the party.

Muwanga’s determination, however, seemed to know no bounds. He abandoned his other positions including the chairperson Buganda Parliamentary caucus, and chairperson of the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to focus on campaigning, even going so far as to fetch Bobi Wine’s children from school and take them to the beach for appeasing the appointing authority, ultimately paid off, but at what cost?

Muwanga took the deputy presidency competition a notch higher when he donated his appointing authority a cow, which perhaps softened the principal’s heart to zero on him.

In his acceptance speech, Muwanga revealed the depths of his poverty, saying, “I became an MP without a bank account. One time, I fell sick when my sister who gave me refuge at her home had just bought me a new shirt. I felt very shy going back to her to ask for money to buy medicine. So, I nearly died because I had no money on me.”

He was definitely, affirming the assertions by the late Kato Lubwama who had rapped him as a very pauper man who was “suffering from arrivalism.”

Despite Muwanga’s personal struggles, his appointment was not well received by his competitors. Notably, all the other candidates, except Francis Katabaazi, boycotted the press conference announcing Muwanga’s new role on January 16, 2025, at Makerere-Kavule, NUP’s headquarters.

The fallout from this decision is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the NUP party. As one of the largest opposition parties in Uganda, the NUP’s internal conflicts could impact its ability to unite against the ruling party.

Bobi Wine’s decision to appoint Muwanga has raised questions about his leadership style and ability to make tough decisions. Will this move pay off in the long run, or will it create more divisions within the party?

As the NUP party navigates this tumultuous period, one thing is clear: the battle for power and influence is far from over. The coming months will be crucial in determining the party’s future and its ability to challenge the ruling party.

The NUP’s internal conflicts are a reminder that even within opposition parties, the struggle for power and influence can be fierce. As Uganda, approaches the 2026 general elections, the NUP’s ability to unite and present a strong challenge to the ruling NRM party will be put to the test.

For now, the NUP party remains embroiled in its internal struggles, leaving many to wonder what the future holds for this opposition party.