In a surprising turn of events, Hon. Abed Bwanika has thrown his support behind NUP presidential candidate H.E. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu. Bwanika made the announcement before his supporters following Kyagulanyi’s visit to Masaka City, noting that Kyagulanyi did not attack him or mention his name during the visit.
Bwanika, who went to Parliament in 2021 on a NUP ticket, later fell out with the party and formed the DF party, currently led by former Leader of the Opposition Hon. Mathias Mpuuga. Mpuuga also went to Parliament on a NUP ticket, but during his tenure as LOP, it was fiund that he and NRM commissioners awarded themselves a “service award,” which the NUP leadership condemned as an act of corruption. The party demanded that he return the money, but Mpuuga defied the directive and was subsequently dismissed from the party.
Mpuuga, together with Bwanika, Masaka City Woman MP Nakakande, and Michael Kakembo Mbwatekamwa, went on to form the new party.
Bwanika explained his endorsement of Kyagulanyi, saying: “I chose to support Kyagulanyi for three reasons. First, when he came to Masaka, he did not attack me or my party. Second, I am running for the MP seat, so I am not competing with Kyagulanyi. And lastly, my party does not have a presidential candidate. Therefore, as someone who desires regime change, I must rally behind Kyagulanyi. I also call upon all my supporters to vote for him.” His remarks were met with loud cheers from the crowd.
It remains a bitter pill to swallow for some, and now all eyes are on Mpuuga, the DF party leader, to see whether he will follow Bwanika’s example. Bwanika did not clarify whether his endorsement of his former party leader was a party position or his own personal decision aimed at reconciling with Kyagulanyi, whom he has criticized since breaking away from NUP.
The political ground in Masaka continues to shift, especially after Kyagulanyi’s massive rallies in the region. Some observers believe Bwanika was influenced by Kyagulanyi’s show of strength, which he witnessed firsthand during the campaign. Others say he may be attempting to soften the hearts of NUP supporters in hopes they might return him to Parliament as election day draws closer.
