MP Ssemujju Clips Chest-Thumping Muwanga’s Wings On Live TV

On September 6, 2025, a showdown unfolded on NBS TV’s Frontline show, moderated by veteran journalist Simon Kaggwa Njala.

Kira Municipality MP, Ssemujju Nganda, faced off against the egotistical National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Buganda Muwanga Kivumbi.

It was a fierce debate centered around the internal politics of NUP, particularly its recent opaque candidates’ selection process, which Kivumbi defended despite mounting public criticisms.

Shouting on top of his voice, Muwanga began his defense by boasting about NUP’s status as the largest opposition party in the country.

He proclaimed, “We [NUP] are the biggest party with mass support, and that’s why we have so many people competing for our flag,” while dismissing smaller parties like the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and Ssemujju’s Peoples Front for Transition (PFF).

He taunted, “Look at Akena’s UPC and Ssemujju’s PFF. They will struggle to find anyone interested in holding their flag in the forthcoming 2026 elections.” As Muwanga basked in his party’s supposed glory, Ssemujju could barely contain his frustration.

“Honorable Muwanga,” Ssemujju interjected, “even NUP is struggling to have candidates in the Western region of Uganda where you can hardly see a mere poster of your party’s candidate.” His directness caught Kivumbi off guard, and set the tone for what would become a heated exchange.

“You should stop seeing yourself as a big party when you have not fielded even enough councilors, and local council chairpersons compared to the official number of positions across the country,” Ssemujju added, compelling Kivumbi to reassess his inflated claims.

Messy Selection

As the conversation turned to NUP’s controversial candidate selection, Muwanga attempted to absolve his party of responsibility, attributing the uproar to President Museveni’s alleged infiltration of the party’s primary elections.

He remarked, “Given the current political climate, our process cannot be open because the Museveni’s ISO, and DISOs would be the ones to play critical roles of determining who wins our flags. We have to navigate through the realities that involve interference.”

However, Ssemujju was quick to counter Muwanga’ insincere justifications.

“There is no single excuse NUP can give to stop them from holding credible and transparent party primaries for flag bearers to be democratically elected by their people in party branches,” Ssemujju asserted firmly.

His stance showcased a commitment to democratic principles, contrasting sharply with Muwanga’s defensive posturing.

Ssemujju further schooled Muwanga, emphasizing that what NUP termed as “vetting” was merely a subjective process

“Vetting may be done better in Chadema of Tanzania” he elaborated, “where known criteria are established. People should know upfront what they are up against.”

He cited the need for transparency, arguing, “the criteria must be well laid down for everyone interested in participating in the process, as it is in Tanzania.”

Raising the stakes, Ssemujju reminded Muwanga of the NUP’s ambitious claim of having registered over 10 million members across the country, adding, “Unless you want to claim that you registered members of Museveni’s Internal Security Organization (ISO), there is no way you can say you cannot hold party elections under strengthened methods to weed out intruders.” This statement echoed the skepticism surrounding NUP’s internal practices.

The discussion culminated in Ssemujju’s powerful assertion that NUP was merely scapegoating Museveni for its failings.

“NRM can be accused of ravaging the country, but not for the failings in the opposition,” Ssemujju said, emphasizing that NUP had no excuse for its inability to deliver on democratic principles.

“It is inexcusable for a five-year-old party to hide its incompetence in practicing democracy behind Museveni’s schemes,” he asserted.

As the debate continued, Ssemujju’s certainty, and clarity increasingly overshadowed Kivumbi’s braggadocio, about NUP’s popularity.

“Muwanga Kivumbi you want to speak and parade yourself as very big, let me tell you, the day the results are published of how many councilors you have fielded, how many chairpersons you have fielded, you will shrink, and I don’t want you to pretend that PFF is small you are big,” Ssemujju said, driving home the point that NUP’s perceived dominance was merely a façade.

“You are judging yourself against yourself. The day you judge yourself against the established positions in Uganda, you will not come back to this show. So stop parading yourself as if you are big,” Ssemujju frankly added.

The audience could sense the growing tension, as Muwanga attempted to deflect the criticism, but Ssemujju’s arguments proved overwhelming.

The riveting exchange on NBS TV illuminated not only the ongoing struggles within NUP but also the challenges faced by opposition parties in Uganda as they navigate a complex political environment.

Ultimately, it reinforced Ssemujju’s position as a fierce advocate for democracy within the opposition, ready to confront insincerity, regardless of the political weight behind his opponent’s claims.

This powerful confrontation between Ssemujju and Muwanga not only captivated viewers but also left many questioning the integrity of NUP’s practices as a party claiming to lead the charge against “undemocratic” governance in Uganda.