Bobi Wine Declares Official War On Buganda Kingdom’s Traditions, Influence
Since July 2024, when the Buganda King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II delivered a stern speech warning those undermining his kingdom, the National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu known as Bobi Wine felt guilty.
Tough-Talking Kabaka Rebukes Disruptive Politicians, Clan Chiefs
He thus launched a denial campaign using both the Chicago Convention 2024 between 8th-12th August, and the NUP Canada Diaspora Convention 2024 between 16th-18th August.
While in Chicago, Bobi urged his supporters, especially Murodocai Muriisa, a man hailing from the Western region who relocated to the United States, and describes himself as a poet, journalist, political activist, and fun to slow down on his attacks on Buganda on the ground that it is all “put to me by my detractors.”
Despite the public denials, Bobi’s actions reveal a systematic effort to undermine the Buganda Kingdom’s influence Bobi has been secretly orchestrating a campaign to erode the kingdom’s influence.
Behind closed doors, the information obtained by The FileFactsUg, reveals that Bobi convened 2 (two) back-to-back meetings with top NUP leaders, instructing them to mobilize members to make a bold political statement against the Buganda King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, and his kingdom through aggressive actions.
Prominent party leaders; the president, Kyagulanyi (of the central region), Secretary-general Lewis Lubongoya (of the western region), NUP spokesperson who also doubles as the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi (a Muruuli from Nakasongola), deputy spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro (from Eastern region), and the National Youth Secretary Zaake Francis (Central region), and Buken Ali alias Nubian Li, the head of Arts and Entertainment, attended the first meeting, held in Canada.
Upon returning to Uganda, Bobi convened a follow-up meeting at his home, briefing the national party mobilization chairperson who is also his elder brother Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu (of central region), and the youth leader at NUP, Sylvia Namutyaba (central region) on the resolutions aimed at “dismantling Buganda Kingdom’s influence.”
Bobi directed key party officials to ensure that all grassroots mobilizers, foot soldiers, and MPs in the central region prioritize marketing him while de-campaigning Buganda, its popular titular head Kabaka Mutebi, his Prime Minister, Charles Peter Mayiga, and other prominent Buganda officials. In the meeting, the sources indicated that the president of the youngest political party Bobi, “looked and sounded very furious expressing the disappointment with Kabaka’s speech that could potentially make people believe that I [Bobi] do not like Buganda. He [Kabaka] was incited by that Mayiga, and a few Ministers in Mengo.”
Bobi then declared, “we must show Buganda that our party’s influence surpasses their kingdom’s,” he reportedly said, “our supporters will now present my portrait instead of the King’s, symbolizing our dominance.”
Indeed, the implementation of the a systematic effort to undermine the Buganda Kingdom, exploiting NUP’s stronghold in the region started in Mityana District during a function, presided over by Mityana Municipality’s Zaake also the chairperson of NUP caucus in Parliament.
As resolved to replace the Kabaka’s portraits with Bobi’s during introduction ceremonies especially by NUP supporters, Zaake made sure he was present in person and took photographic evidence to give others confidence to normalize the party’s new policy.
Traditionally, introduction (Kwanjula) ceremonies in Buganda involve presenting the Kabaka’s portrait as a symbol of the highest ruling authority.
However, NUP supporters have abandoned this custom, replacing the King’s portrait with Bobi Wine’s, drawing sharp criticism from the Mpologoma clan leader, Namuguzi Ssebuganda Erukaana Lukanga.
Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga had condemned this act, warning Bobi to cease such practices that undermine the dignity of Buganda’s traditions and the respected status of the Kabaka.
Mayiga underscored that only the Kabaka and Nnabagereka’s portraits should be presented during Kwanjula, stressing those cultural events should not be politicized.
However, in their typical style, the NUP supporters retaliated by attacking the Buganda premier online with naked abuses.
As tensions escalate, the Buganda Kingdom’s leadership remains vigilant, determined to protect its cultural heritage and traditions from political manipulation.
On the other hand, the active political players belonging to NUP were tasked with offering gifts in the form of chicken, goats, food items, etc to demonstrate loyalty to the party president, Bobi Wine who seems to be building a cult of sorts.
The LoP was tasked to ensure that all MPs toe the line and that whoever deviates from the “aggressive Bobi’s marketing strategy, risks losing his/her party card in 2026. That is why you are seeing almost all NUP MPs struggling with making offers to a president who can afford food yet they cannot do the same for their poor voters.”
This move has sparked outrage among Buganda Kingdom subjects and political observers, interrogating NUP’s intentions and disrespect for the monarch.