Kampala Uganda: Recent moves by Muwanga Kivumbi, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for the Buganda region—such as issuing ultimatums and demanding apologies from members accused of causing unrest within the party—have fueled growing speculation about a brewing internal power struggle. His actions appear to challenge the leadership of Robert Kyagulanyi, widely known as Bobi Wine, the party’s president.
Political analyst Yusuf Sserukuma has raised alarms over what he described as Kivumbi’s “unchecked aggression,” pointing to his confrontational stance towards fellow party members.
“The kind of force and energy Kivumbi is displaying within NUP seems to be driven by something more powerful than the party itself. If not managed carefully, it could end up overpowering President Kyagulanyi,” Sserukuma warned.
He further suggested that Kivumbi’s forceful behavior might not be random, but a deliberate strategy aimed at securing control of the party.
“He gives off the impression of a man determined to take full command and later betray those who elevated him—similar to the situation we witnessed in FDC between Kizza Besigye and Nandala Mafabi,” Sserukuma noted.
Adding his voice to the matter, political commentator Charles Rwomushana argued that Kivumbi’s conduct reflects a larger, orchestrated effort to dominate NUP.
“Kivumbi isn’t acting alone in this bid to destabilize NUP. He is winning the party’s trust by targeting alleged dissidents, just like Nandala did with Mugisha Muntu,” Rwomushana asserted.
Rwomushana recalled events within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), where Nandala Mafabi strengthened his influence by branding Mugisha Muntu’s supporters as traitors.
“If you recall, in FDC, Nandala gained Besigye’s confidence by isolating Muntu and accusing him of being a government agent, labeling his allies as rebels. A very similar playbook is unfolding in NUP right now,” he explained.
He also urged Bobi Wine to remain vigilant and wary of opportunists within his ranks.
“Bobi Wine needs to stand firm, avoid being naive, and be alert to opportunists like Kivumbi, who could eventually auction off the party to the highest bidder,” Rwomushana cautioned.
Rwomushana went on to highlight the previous relationship between Kivumbi and Mathias Mpuuga, noting how quickly it deteriorated once Kivumbi rose to his current position.
“Kivumbi was once a close ally of Mathias Mpuuga, but after taking over as Deputy President for Buganda, he wasted no time in launching constant attacks against Mpuuga,” he remarked.
The perspectives shared by the analysts point to growing tensions within NUP, raising important questions about its stability and future direction. The coming months are likely to reveal how much sway Kivumbi truly holds—and whether the party can withstand these internal storms.
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