Political Tensions Flare at Lwengo Burial as Bwanika Criticizes Kyagulanyi and NUP

Kimanya Kabonera MP Abed Bwanika informed National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi that his red overalls are no longer welcome in Masaka. Speaking at Pascal Ssekasamba’s burial in Manja Village, Kiseka Subcounty, Lwengo District, Dr. Bwanika accused Mr. Kyagulanyi of failing to control his supporters, who he claimed insult those opposing the NUP leader.

The late Ssekasamba was the younger brother of Mathias Nsubuga Birekereraawo, the former Democratic Party secretary general. Dr. Bwanika highlighted alleged insults directed at Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga and Nyendo Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga, among others.

NUP supporters, in turn, accused Dr. Bwanika of being disloyal, calling him a “snake” if he claimed he could expel them. Dr. Bwanika responded by urging mutual respect in politics and admonished against abusive behavior. He emphasized that the current political struggle was not meant to involve such hostility, directly addressing Mr. Kyagulanyi to curb the youth’s misconduct.

Dr. Bwanika expressed loyalty to former Leader of the Opposition Mpuuga, who had been suspended as NUP deputy president for the Buganda region in April. This suspension stemmed from revelations that Mpuuga had negotiated and received a controversial allowance from the Parliamentary Commission. On March 6, 2022, Mpuuga participated in a meeting chaired by Speaker Anita Among, where he received 500 million shillings as a “service award,” while backbench commissioners received 400 million shillings each. NUP condemned the payments as corrupt and demanded Mpuuga’s resignation from his Parliamentary Commissioner role.

Despite NUP’s stance, Mpuuga, supported by Speaker Among and Parliament, with Dr. Bwanika’s backing, refused to step down. This defiance resulted in a bitter fallout with Mr. Kyagulanyi, with Saturday’s events in Lwengo suggesting irreparable rifts.

Amid the mourners’ heckling, Dr. Bwanika also accused NUP deputy spokesperson Waisswa Mufumbira of immorality before the microphone was taken from him. When Mr. Kyagulanyi spoke, he apologized for Dr. Bwanika’s remarks. He asserted his strong support for Mpuuga, noting that he had appointed him as his vice president, Leader of the Opposition, and Parliamentary Commissioner. Kyagulanyi emphasized that disagreements should not overshadow their larger goals, as their actions influence the next generation.

Mr. Kyagulanyi reassured Mpuuga of his respect and denied inciting anyone against him. He highlighted their shared goals and connections, insisting that their main adversary is President Museveni. He expressed concern that Museveni exploits opposition infighting for his benefit, urging opposition unity to avoid making Museveni happy.

Kyagulanyi called for unity among opposition leaders, stressing that their internal conflicts only serve Museveni’s interests. The burial commenced with a mass led by Kyanukuzi Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Henry Kasule, who urged leaders to remain steadfast in their political parties and resist accepting bribes from the NRM government.

While Mr. Mpuuga did not speak, he seemed to acknowledge Dr. Bwanika’s statements. Ssekasamba’s widow, Mrs. Evelyne Nakku Ssekasamba, expressed gratitude for her late husband’s life and urged their children to trust in God. Pascal Ssekasamba, born in 1970, passed away at the age of 54.