JEEMA Calls Out Bobi’s Hypocrisy In Supporting NRM Figures While De-campaigning Opposition

In a strong rebuke, the Justice Forum (JEEMA) has accused National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, of hypocrisy for promoting figures associated with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) while simultaneously and aggressively undermining key opposition leaders.

This response follows Bobi Wine’s recent remarks in Bugiri Municipality, where he suggested voters should oust JEEMA’s Asuman Basalirwa, despite Basalirwa’s critical support during his early political career.

Last week, during his presidential campaign in Bugiri, Bobi Wine expressed disappointment with Basalirwa claiming that he had betrayed the People Power movement, and that he failed to deliver services to the people as had been envisaged.

In an October 7, 2025 protest response, JEEMA wondered how Bobi, the key leader in the opposition could shift all his verbal artillery energies in de-campaigning fellow opposition leaders, while promoting the key figures in the ruling NRM regime, particularly former speaker and the third prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga.

JEEMA’s spokesperson, Dr. Swaibu Kaggwa Nsereko, articulated the party’s position.

“We find it contradictory for Mr. Kyagulanyi to praise and endorse regime members like Right Hon. Rebecca Kadaga while calling for the replacement of a fellow opposition leader. When this happened in Koboko county in 2021 elections, in favour of Hon. Dr. Francis Ayume of NRM, it made the regime nearly sweap the entire region. Will this time the endorsement of Hon. [Rebecca] Kadaga of NRM deliver Busoga to opposition? Will the undermining of the formidable Hon. Basalirwa strengthen the opposition?” JEEMA asked.

The JEEMA party stressed their commitment to not engage in “tit-for-tat” exchanges. Instead, their focus remains on empowering voters to make informed decisions based on the actions and track records of the candidates. “While JEEMA is scrutinizing various manifestos, we trust Ugandans to make informed decisions,” the press release stated.

JEEMA urged all opposition forces to remain united and resist distractions that could weaken their mission. “We appreciate the support Ugandans have accorded our candidates and thank Bugiri Municipality voters for their commitment to Hon. Basalirwa Asuman,” they concluded.

Basalirwa’s pivotal role in Bobi Wine’s rise to prominence is notable being factual that he was one of the key lawyers who fought for Bobi’s release from military custody after the violent events during the 2018 Arua by-election, where government forces severely assaulted him, thus the JEEMA questioning the fairness of targeting Basalirwa in such a manner.

Not Peculiar

Basalirwa is not alone in experiencing Bobi’s divisive tactics; it is on record that several other articulate opposition leaders have been similarly targeted, including Mathias Mpuuga of Nyendo-Mukungwe, Abed Bwanika from Kimaanya-Kabonera, and Medard Lubega Sseggona of Busiro East.

Other prominent figures like Ibrahim Ssemujju (Kira Municipality), Erias Lukwago (Kampala Lord Mayor), Joyce Bagala (Mityana district MP), and Richard Lumu (Mityana South), have also faced public criticism from Bobi Wine.

Such behavior, JEEMA argues, fosters discord and weakens the collective strength of the opposition at a time when unity is critical for electoral success, and that these may further weaken the opposition’s efforts in challenging the status quo wrought by the Museveni’s NRM.