NUP Plotting to Dethrone Opposition Giant Ssemujju Through Kwanjula Rallies

(Kira, Wakiso) – When you hear the drums of a kwanjula ceremony rolling in Buganda, you expect to see cows, goats, and a few baskets of fruits heading toward the bride’s home. But, these days, alongside the traditional ensawo and ebyaayi, don’t be surprised if a portrait of Bobi Wine, the National Unity Platform (NUP) party leader, is quietly propped up among the gifts. That is how far NUP has entrenched itself into Buganda’s social fabric—it is like a stubborn mpengere that refuses to be shaken off.

The NUP party, which stormed Uganda’s political scene in 2020 like a furious rainstorm, has taken Buganda by its red beret. And now, they have decided they won’t loosen their grip—not even a bit. Just last week, the announcement came that NUP plans to field its lawyer, George Musisi, against none other than the formidable Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda for the Kira Municipality seat in the 2026 parliamentary race.

For Ssemujju, a veteran who has been bouncing around the political boxing ring for three terms, this is no small matter. It is like a seasoned ndiga (ram) squaring up with a young, ambitious one in a Buganda village—it is bound to draw a crowd.

NUP at Kwanjula—A New Buganda Tradition?

Since NUP’s debut, its message of change has found a cozy home in Buganda’s kwanjula (introduction) ceremonies. The sacred cultural event has become a space where political waves are created, as if introducing one’s beloved to the in laws isn’t stressful enough! Historically, kwanjula was strictly about families joining, a bit of food, some cows, and a little gossip—but these days, there is no missing that symbolic Bobi Wine portrait among the enswa baskets.

Naturally, Buganda’s Katikkiro, Mr. Charles Peter Mayiga, was not about to let this pass without a polite but firm warning. In August, he made it crystal clear—kwanjula should not feature political figures’ portraits. Imagine, he said, if staunch Catholics started bringing a portrait of the Pope! Or worse, if FDC diehards carted in portraits of Amuriat or Lukwago! The Katikkiro, who usually speaks with the same caution one uses when dealing with hot millet porridge, seemed to imply that NUP’s politicization of Buganda customs was a step too far.

Mayiga was not mincing his words when he added that the only acceptable portraits at cultural functions should be those of the Kabaka, the Nnaabagereka, or perhaps a map of Buganda Kingdom, for those wanting to appear scholarly. Leave the Bobi Wine portraits for the political rallies, he implied, before someone tries to turn a kwanjula into a concert at One Love Beach.

A Gentle Yet Firm Reminder from Mengo

To hammer home the point, Denis Juuko, the Katikkiro’s media advisor, added his two cents (or perhaps two sacks of millet). He sternly reminded NUP supporters, lovingly called NUPists that Bobi Wine’s face doesn’t belong at kwanjula ceremonies. “Kwanjula is a cultural function, not a political rally or a Bobi Wine concert,” Juuko said.  during a solemn obugyenyi (visitation) ceremony.

But NUPists are nothing if not persistent. Despite the warnings from Mengo, they have defiantly continued to brandish Bobi Wine portraits at every available kwanjula, insisting they need to hear directly from the Kabaka if they are to comply. It is as if they believe Bobi’s face adds the finishing touch, like a last minute garnish on luwombo.

Meanwhile, NUP’s plan to unseat Ssemujju Nganda has grabbed Buganda’s political scene like a stubborn ebiru (mud) during the rainy season. Musisi, a man who has been building his profile like a village elder stacking omwenge pots, is now the party’s choice to challenge Ssemujju, who is in his third term as Kira’s MP.

Ssemujju, no stranger to controversy, has been the Opposition’s voice in Parliament, taking on the government with the same fervor a Mukiga wrestler brings to the mat. From exposing Sudhir Ruparelia’s multi billion shilling government rentals to breaking down the outrageous costs of maintaining State House’s 266 car fleet, Ssemujju has become a political banda (hard nut) to crack.

Last year, for instance, he revealed that the Ugandan government was paying a jaw dropping 2.9 billion shillings a month to Sudhir, making many wonder if Sudhir had found the secret to growing money trees. Ssemujju reeled off a list of ministries paying rent to Sudhir, like a mother counting the number of bananas her child has swiped from the basket.

The revelations left the public in shock, as if someone had just told them a Kiboko (beating) was now mandatory for all school kids. And to top it off, Ssemujju also pointed out how Sudhir’s empire seemed to grow with every new piece of government land, like a weed spreading across a maize garden.

Friends No More?

Though Ssemujju is officially part of the Opposition, his ties with NUP have become colder than the slopes of Mt. Rwenzori. His refusal to support a censure motion against some NUP members over a UGX 1.7 billion service award saw him falling out of favor faster than a drunk uncle at a wedding. In fact, NUP’s deputy spokesperson Waiswa Mufumbiro questionED Ssemujju’s audacity to criticize Bobi Wine’s leadership without consulting them first.

And while Ssemujju has always been vocal about money scandals within the FDC, NUP doesn’t seem convinced he is entirely clean. Mufumbiro even claimed that Ssemujju witnessed some of the alleged backdoor deals between FDC and the government. It is a bitter turn of events for a man who once stood tall as one of the Opposition’s loudest voices.

One thing is clear. NUP isn’t letting go of Buganda any time soon, and Ssemujju will have to put up a fight worthy of a royal wrestling match at Lubiri. Buganda’s political scene is more entertaining than a Kadongo Kamu song as the race heats up for 2026.