By Aggrey Baba
Nakaseke South MP, Hon. Paul Lutamaguzi, has poured cold water on the remarks made by fellow legislator Hon. Abed Bwanika, Sunday, while on NBS TV, said that he is still a member of the National Unity Platform (NUP), despite publicly criticizing the party for the past years.
The Kimanya Kabonera MP said he had written a letter to the NUP leadership with ten questions, and that the answers he receives will determine whether he stays in the party or walks away, adding that while he was elected by the people, the NUP card did contribute to his win in 2021 (to a certain extent).
Out-spoken Lutamaguzi, in his response, said that Bwanika is simply playing politics, because in a serious party like NUP, members must be disciplined and ready to follow the party’s direction.
“Politics is not like how it was in DP, (where Bwanika was a member before joining NUP) where you would do anything and go unpunished. NUP has structures and leadership. You must respect the rules and adjust to them.”
He went on to question why Bwanika needed to write a letter in the first place. “When he joined NUP, he didn’t write a letter. So why now? If he wants to leave, he can leave quietly. The party will remain strong with or without him,” Lutamaguzi said.
The comments come shortly after NUP’s Vice President for Buganda, Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi, issued an ultimatum to all members who have been openly rebellious, including Bwanika, asking them to apologize or risk losing party membership, and support in the 2026 elections which didn’t sit well with some of the members like Hon. Joyce Bagala, Hon. Abed Bwanika, and others who have since been asking what they did that requires them to apologize.
In response, Bwanika wondered if that ultimatum was issued personally by Kivumbi or if it came from the full party leadership.
But the Nakaseke South MP defended Kivumbi, saying he was simply doing his job and enforcing party discipline. “Kivumbi is not stupid. He is acting on behalf of a party that wants order,” he said.
Over the last few years, Hon. Bwanika has been radically critical of NUP and its top leadership. He has missed several key party meetings, accused the party of promoting homosexuality, made controversial remarks in the media, and often questioned the decisions of party leaders, including President Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), hence his actions raising eyebrows both inside and outside kavule.
Bwanika is also a known member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), a political pressure group that was formed late last year, after his fallout with NUP. Together with Nyendo-Mukungwe MP Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, Bwanika has been active in DA activities.
Rumours are now circulating that DA may soon register as a formal political party, something that could place Bwanika in direct conflict with NUP membership rules.
This has left many Ugandans wondering how someone can actively participate in another political group while still claiming to be loyal to NUP.
An African saying goes, “you can’t eat from a tree and then cut it down.” And for Bwanika, if he no longer believes in NUP, it’s better he leaves.
The drama has sparked debate on social media, with some Ugandans questioning Bwanika’s value to a party he has constantly criticized, while others suggest he is only trying to secure his political future ahead of the 2026 elections. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
