By Aggrey Baba
In a candid and firm interview with Mulengera News, the outspoken Kimanya-Kabonera MP, Dr. Abed Bwanika, poured cold water on the very party (National Unity Platform), that helped him secure his seat in Parliament after failing severally to attain any political office, under his own People’s Development Party (DPP).
Bwanika, who once flew the NUP flag proudly, has now taken a different path, distancing himself from what he called “mango tree politics,” on Thursday, saying he was elected by the people of Kimanya-Kabonera, and he’s doing what they sent me to do.
The dramatic fallout between Bwanika and NUP began when the party publicly accused Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, MP for Nyendo-Mukungwe and a close ally of Bwanika, of receiving UGX 500 million, which Mpuuga insists was a gratuity from the government. NUP, on the other hand, labelled the money a bribe from President Museveni, and went ahead to tag Mpuuga as a corrupt leader.
That moment marked the beginning of a deep crack between NUP and its Masaka representatives.
With a tone of both defiance and pride, Bwanika fired back at party leaders whom he believes have undermined Masaka and Buganda as a whole.
“I heard the NUP Deputy President, Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi, call Masaka a municipality, yet Masaka is a city. I believe he did that intentionally to belittle the Kabaka’s city (Ekibuga kyakabaka).”
He made it clear that Masaka’s leadership is not up for remote control. “We are three MPs elected by the people of Masaka, and that’s myself, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, and Hon. Juliet Kakande. Anyone with issues should come and face us in Masaka, not hold secret meetings under mango trees. And they should be from Masaka, not outsiders.”
The legislator didn’t mince words when he sent a strong message to the people of Buganda ahead of the 2026 elections, urging the to avoid repeating past mistakes in, come 2026.
“In 2021, many people voted in excitement, riding on the wave. [But a wise person knows that not every wind carries you home]. In 2026, let Buganda vote leaders who understand our values, our struggles, and who put Buganda first.”
When pressed on whether NUP helped him win the MP seat, Bwanika replied that he wasn’t elected by anyone in Kavule or Kamwokya, and with, or without Kyagulanyi’s backing, he would still have won.
“The people of Kimanya-Kabonera voted for me because I’m a man of substance. Even without the NUP ticket, I would still have won.”
Asked if he owes NUP an apology, his response was both sharp and calm, saying: “I don’t know which crime I committed. NUP has never summoned me or taken me to court. How can I apologize for a crime I don’t know?” (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
