NUP’s Nyanzi Unapologetic For Revealing Names Of Foot Soldiers To Security

The head of the National Unity Platform (NUP) mobilization, Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, the elder brother of party president Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, has ignited controversy by stating that he does not regret revealing the names of party supporters to security operatives.

This statement followed a military-like parade at the party offices in Makerere-Kavule, which resulted in the arrest of several party leaders, including Nyanzi.

After mysteriously resurfacing four days later, Nyanzi appeared on Sanyuka Television, where he confirmed that he had named the supporters involved in the parade.

“They [security] asked me to provide names of [supporters] who were in a [military] group, and I provided all the names I had,” Nyanzi said on February 25, 2025.

His revelation sparked significant outrage, with many questioning what compelled someone who had played a fatherly role in Bobi’s life, even paying for his school fees, to take such action.

In response to the backlash from his statement, Nyanzi, a well-known supporter of the NRM and a leader in Kampala Central until when he professed to support his young brother, gave an interview to CBS FM on February 28, 2025, reaffirming his position and asserting that he acted in collaboration with other party officials.

“I was severely beaten. I sustained injuries and felt harmful effects in my chest,” Nyanzi recounted, reflecting on his ordeal during what is widely believed to have been an abduction.

“The actions we take are known, and the individuals present at the NUP parade are familiar; I did not record them; other party officials did. Those [supporters] are recognized and often take selfies,” Nyanzi explained.

When confronted about his actions, Nyanzi stood firm.

“Whatever we do, we do openly. Are you suggesting that we should hide those supporting the NUP? What narrative are you trying to create? Why should I shield those [supporters] from security? Just so you know, I did not act alone in organizing the military drills for our leader; we collaborated with all the party leaders, as you saw, including the Secretary-General.”

Nyanzi also hinted that Secretary-General Lewis Rubongoya, who is also a renowned State House boy, would soon face scrutiny, suggesting he might encounter a fate similar to his own.

UPDF spokesperson Felix Kulaigye has also weighed in on the situation.

In an appearance on Sanyuka TV’s Uganda Eyenkya show on February 26, 2025, Kulaigye stressed that military drills are not permitted for political parties.

“No country in the world allows political parties to train their supporters in military drills,” he stated.

Kulaigye further indicated that the military’s investigation revealed that NUP supporters had effectively become a militia, leading them to search the party’s premises.

“If it flies like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it’s a duck,” he commented, “you wear military-like uniforms and have insignias. Are you still claiming to be a political party or a military force?”

Amid this controversy, Nyanzi’s unwavering stance has only intensified the situation.