By Ben Musanje
A dramatic political twist unfolded in Kampala on Tuesday after the families of slain National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter Yasin Kawuma and jailed activist Yasin Ssekitoleko, also known as Machete, failed to attend an event organized by former presidential candidate Frank Bulira Kabinga — despite being among the key beneficiaries expected to receive school fees support.
Bulira had invited widows, children of political prisoners, and vulnerable families to his office in Namirembe along Apollo Nsibambi Road in Rubaga Division, where he planned to distribute scholastic materials and announce education sponsorships. However, the absence of the Kawuma and Machete families quickly became the talking point of the event, sparking speculation and political debate.
The two families, closely linked to NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, reportedly declined to attend, effectively shunning the highly publicized initiative.
Despite the no-show, Bulira went ahead with his announcements, declaring that he would still cover school fees for at least one child from each family.
Speaking to attendees, Bulira described the slain Kawuma as a “hero of the struggle” and emphasized that helping children of political activists should go beyond election seasons. He said leaders must support supporters in both good and bad times rather than only during campaigns.
Bulira, who leads the Frank Cares initiative, said the charity works with partners in Dubai and aims to help vulnerable families regardless of political affiliation. He stressed that Uganda’s future depends on supporting young people, especially children affected by political conflict and imprisonment.
The former presidential candidate also revealed that his campaign had faced financial challenges, including frozen accounts, which limited the scale of assistance he had planned. He said he hoped to organize a larger outreach event in the coming weeks.
During his address, Bulira used the moment to call for unity among Ugandans across political lines and urged leaders to share their resources with ordinary citizens struggling to afford basic necessities like school supplies.
He also used the platform to demand the release of political prisoners, including Ssekitoleko and other detainees, while calling for peace during the upcoming Ramadan and Lent seasons.
While several families accepted assistance, the absence of the Kawuma and Machete families left unanswered questions — raising fresh political tensions and highlighting the deep divisions that continue to shape Uganda’s opposition politics.
Yasin Kawuma, a long-time serving driver of NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi, was shot dead in Arua town in August 2018 following skirmishes involving security and the supporters of Kasiano Wadri, one of the candidates in the Arua municipality parliamentary by-elections. He survived by three wives and 11 children.
Machete, a father of two and member of National Unity Platform (NUP), has been incarcerated at Luzira Prison for over four years without trial following his arrest after the 2021 general election. He was part of the 28 NUP supporters who were arrested in Kalangala District in 2021 while on the campaign trail of Bobi Wine. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
