Internal Rifts in NUP: Kyagulanyi, Dr. Abed Bwanika Clash over Nagotiation with Museveni.

The leader of the opposition national Unity Platform (NUP) in Uganda, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine has publically dismissed the opinions of a fellow oarty member, Memebr of Parliament for Kimanya Kabonera, Dr. Abed Bwanika.

Dr. Bwanika recently suggested that he was ready to meet with President Yoweri Kagutta Museveni to negotiate the release of two NUP supporters and MPs Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana and other NUP members still in jail however, Bobi Wine rejected this suggestion, claiming that it goes against the beliefs and principles of the NUP party.

In a news interview prior, Bwanika had said that he was ready to meet President Museveni for negotiations on behalf of the party once he obtained permission, insisting that if none of the party bosses was willing to make the move, “I am ready.”

In a statement released by Bobi Wine, he accused Dr. Bwanika of promoting opinions that are not in line with those of the people the party presents.

He went on to say that the party’s stance is clear and unambiguous, and that the release of their colleagues should not be tied to any negotiations with the government.

“I respect Dr Abed Bwanika but this is not the first time he is betraying the opinions of the majority of the people. It should be noted that he even stood with Museveni in 2011 when everyone agreed that the vote had been rigged,” Bobi said.

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He said that NUP has given Bwanika and is still giving him chances to redeem himself or expose himself.

“It would have been better if Bwanika had been visiting these people while they were in prison, then I would also understand he wants them out, but he was not there, yet he was rushy to make statements to insinuate that we (NUP) are the ones in wrong,” Bobi said.

This disagreement between the two NUP members has high lightened the internal rifts within the party, with some members advocating for dialogue with the government and others taking a more hardline stance.

The NUP party which was formed in 2018 has quickly risen to become one of the most prominent opposition parties in Uganda. Led by a musician turned politician Robert Kyagulanyi , the party has been vocal in its criticism of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM)  and its leader President Museveni.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including arrest, intimidation, and harassment, the NUP has continued to mobilize its supporters and push for change in the country.

However, internal divisions such as these threaten to undermine the party’s unity and weaken its ability to chaklenge the government.

It remains to be seen how this latest diagreemnt between Bobi Wine and Dr. Bwanika will be resolved, but it is clear that the NUP will need to find a way to reconcile its differences and present a united front if it hopes to achieve its goals.