Ugandans Roast NUP’s Muwanga Over Opposing Mpuuga’s Electoral Reforms

Ugandans on the X platform have come out guns blazing, criticizing the leading opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy president in Buganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, over his remarks on constitutional and electoral reforms.

Muwanga, appearing on NBS TV’s Frontline show on March 20, 2025, claimed that there was no need to change any of the electoral laws, affirming that his party leaders are convinced that the existing framework can facilitate the change of the president from the incumbent Yoweri Museveni which, sparkedwidespread outrage.

“The whole debate about Electoral reforms is misleading. If we cannot abide by the laws we have currently, what change will new laws bring?” Muwanga said in shutting down the outspoken civil society activist Dr. Sarah Bireete who was using the night show hosted by Simon Kaggwa Njala to amplify the electoral reforms campaign, telling her that she was involved in misleading Ugandans.

Muwanga’s remark was not alien considering that NUP’s strongman akin to a cult leader Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine had as early as 2023, publicly opposed the Constitutional and electoral reforms proposed by former Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mathias Mpuuga despite that they aim to create a level playing field for all parties in the elections.

Ugandans Angrily React

After Muwanga’s remark, many Ugandans took to X to express their disappointment and frustration, with a man who has been in the opposition politics for decades, with some calling for his resignation from Parliament, whose major duty is to make new laws.

“We have this Electoral commission that its chairman reads polling station to polling station. Is it not fair to Nup, to finalize results per polling station so that the whole district could have one declaration form!” Kalanda Arafat questioned.

“Hon. Kyagulanyi was cut from bringing evidence in court that he was out of time. Is hon. Kivumbi contented with that?” Kalanda added, highlighting the inconsistencies in Muwanga’s stance.

“Let us first get rid of NUP, then discuss other things,” Doro Don suggested.

Others questioned Muwanga’s understanding of the electoral process. “Then why do we need parliament sitting every day because we have enough laws already? Muwanga cannot understand that announcing presidential results in the district can help somehow,” Muhammad Kamoga said.

Some Ugandans saw Muwanga’s statement as a sign of the opposition’s comfort with the status quo. “Going by this logic, we don’t need parliament since we already have existing laws we can just use those right? Foot soldiers really! He [Muwanga] is comfortable with the status quo,” Brain Jewtyu said.

“Let us get serious when did law improvement become a challenge and an obstacle,” one Zabuli asked, “Is this the Kivumbi we all knew?”

“Now that electoral reforms talk is misleading, can he give this country an alternative?” Charzvons M. Kiggundu said.

“And he (Kivumbi) is an opposition Member of Parliament? If you have followed the same laws for years without change, don’t you think it is time for a different approach?” Brian Wekesa said, “or are you just comfortable with your title as an “Honorable MP” while still telling your electorates that you are removing President Museveni? Sounds like you are playing both sides preaching change while settling for the status quo.”

“Embracing electoral reforms, even in a dictatorial regime, can be a step towards democratic progress. While it may seem idealistic, history shows us that gradual changes can lead to significant transformation. Rather than waiting for perfection, we should focus on incremental progress,” Kakooza Francis said.

Ssendege Ismail simply asked, “How misleading are the electoral reforms if we have been going through the same story for years…what is the best option do you have?”

“What a shame to this old man,” Hammington said.

“It baffles to hear so-called politicians singing the exact same song that has been sung for the past 25 years, thinking there will be a different outcome this time, stop taking Ugandans for a ride from individual political gain,” Wesonga HM said.

Ever opposing everything. Maybe it is because Mpuuga brought it up,” said Tumusiime Osward.

“Kivumbi you are simply becoming so cheap that you can hardly see the country move forward just relate the reforms to any law. There is quite a big difference between the two,” said Saava Akalyamaggwa.

“And he sits in parliament whose cardinal role is to draft! What did you eat to deny it our children?” Kirumir Jonathan said.

“This statement is also misleading. Which other alternative do u have?” Marc Kasirye Sekabir said.

“Moreover he is a member of parliament. What bunch of politicians do we have really?,” Byokola Moses Mudhe Meshach said.

“Good thing elections are around the corner. Hope the same Kivumbi won’t be here lamenting like he has done before that the existing laws favor the incumbent,” Ivan Kabenge asserted, “People are now focused on securing their parliamentary jobs.”

“Wow! Does Kivumbi now think exactly like foot soldiers? Or like a Bodaboda guy? Suggesting law improvements for example, for each district to announce its own presidential results-would not be helpful. Or if passed by Parliament-it would not be respected? This man should again be above…,” Hakim Ssemuwemba remarked.

“Apart from deliberate ignorance, which law should be abided with as of now, that provides for conclusive pronouncement of electoral results at constituents, which law operationalizes voting from the diaspora, which law gives effect to reduction of parliamentary seats,” Wesonga HM made a follow-up comment.

Muwanga’s remarks were also seen as a betrayal of the opposition’s values.

We have MPs who think like foot soldiers, sad. That means we should even burn Parliament because the executive does not respect it. Our opposition is comfortable with the status quo!” Ibn Abbas Buyondo said.

“Then why are you constantly claiming that the elections are not free or fair if you don’t see any reason to change the laws? Why do you even participate? I hate it when opposition leaders cannot think beyond a certain level,” Eston said.

“The celebrated fool of the 21st century Muwanga Kivumbi. What have you done as the Chairperson of Buganda Parliamentary caucus?” Jjuuko Edward Buyondo charged.

“I see Kivumbi, once considered reasonable, turning himself into a typical sycophant-he thinks regurgitating an unthought stance would win President Bobi Wine’s heart,” Kagombe Wilson said, “beyond political self-preservation, Muwanga backs Mpuuga reforms.”

But what are the Constitutional and electoral reforms that Muwanga and ilk are fighting so hard not to be changed so that the status quo is given a leeway to triumph without any insurmountable impediment the reforms would bring to the fore?

The Mpuuga Constitutional and Electoral Reforms’ Brief:

1. Amendment of law to allow Ugandans in the diaspora and prisoners’ rights to vote
2. Reducing the size of parliament from the current 529 MPs to 295 MPs
3. Restoration and entrenchment of presidential term limits
4. Presidential candidates to have run mate who shall be the deputy president
5. Introduce a second tier of Parliament with 39 MPs from the original 39 districts of Uganda. The deputy president shall be its head
6. Changing the mode of the constitution of the Electoral Commission
7. Rethinking the Decentralization model of running local government
8. Changing the mode of declaration of presidential elections from the centralized system to the district level
9. Amendment from the first-past-the-post to a proportional representation system to balance up Parliament
10. Allow ordinary voters to challenge in court, the presidential election results

As the debate continues, Ugandans remain divided on the issue, with some calling for reforms and others led by NRM and the leading opposition NUP vehemently opposing them.