‘You are A Political Merchant’, Angry Ugandans In Diaspora Charge At NUP’s Bobi

A section of Ugandans in the Diaspora, particularly in the United States, has turned against National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, accusing him of using the struggle against the Museveni regime to extort money from them.

The criticism comes after Bobi Wine’s recent trip to the US, where he allegedly used part of the funds raised to throw a lavish engagement party for his son, Solomon Kampala.

“Kyagulanyi, you are a political merchant. It is unbelievably true this man traveled to US and he came for two purposes; one was to extort our hard-earned dollars under the guise of supporting the struggle against Museveni, and the second one was to be a witness as his eldest son Solomon Kampala engaged his girlfriend!” one Ugandan living in the US said.

The engagement party, which coincided with the NUP Boston Convention 2025 held between August 7-10 in the US, has sparked outrage among Ugandans in the Diaspora. They claim that Bobi Wine’s actions are a clear indication that he is more interested in living a comfortable life with his family than in genuinely fighting for change in Uganda.

“That is why Kyagulanyi traveled to the US alongside his wife because they were going to lavishly throw an engagement party for their son using part of our money,” the Ugandan said.

“No, I cannot stupidly give in my hard-earned dollar to Bobi who actually miserably failed to put the bulletproof attire, and the armored car to good use,” another angry Ugandan added.

Unlike other recent international fundraising trips in South Africa, and Canada, Bobi Wine went with his wife Barbara Itungo to the USA, and they were witnesses as their oldest son Solomon who leaves in the US placed an engagement ring on the finger of his coloured girl friend.

The critics demand accountability for the funds raised in the past, and the tools provided for the struggle.

They question why Bobi Wine failed to use the armored car, and bulletproof attire for their intended purpose which is staging nation-wide protests against the regime, and instead used them for showbiz, and attending lavish parties.

“If he wants especially my money, let him give us an accountability for all the money, and the tools we have been painfully giving him for purposes of the struggle,” one of them said.

“Why did he [Bobi] then abuse Dr. Besigye, on account that he was derailing the struggle? He is now telling us fake stories that he does not want to use violence to oust Museveni. Is he non-violent?”

Throughout his three recent foreign fundraising drives, Bobi Wine has been addressing Ugandans in the Diaspora, encouraging them to continue supporting the struggle morally, and financially. He emphasized that his approach is non-violent, focusing on elections to challenge, and overwhelm the entrenched incumbency.

“Much as some of you wish to use violent means against Museveni, I am opting for non-violent means particularly an election to challenge, and overwhelm the incumbency because that is the only sure way of making Ugandans powerful regarding their leaders, including the president,” Bobi Wine said in the USA.

However, some Ugandans in the Diaspora, and in Uganda are no longer convinced. Rukundo Shiphra, who was designated to receive funds for the presidential campaigns when the mega national local ongoing fundraising drive for the forthcoming campaign, expressed her disappointment, saying, “Betrayed by my leader.”

Others, like Hillary Sseguya alias Justice Hunter who lives in the US, had earlier complained about the exorbitant entry fees for the NUP Diaspora Convention 2025, which they felt was a form of double extortion.

Despite the backlash, Bobi Wine remains optimistic, encouraging Ugandans in the US and the Diaspora at large to continue supporting the cause on account that much as he is the one on the frontlines, it will benefit them more because they will be allowed to fly back and enjoy their new Uganda after ascending to presidency.