In a significant political shift, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Diaspora community has thrown its weight behind Chairman Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu to replace the current Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya.
This comes ahead of the NUP delegates’ conference slated for June 2025, amid growing dissatisfaction and allegations of betrayal within the party.
Chairman Nyanzi, brother to party president Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi (popularly known as Bobi Wine), has announced his candidacy for the powerful position, citing the need to restore trust and unity within NUP.
This decision follows accusations against Rubongoya of misappropriating funds from the Diaspora meant for NUP and allegedly redirecting them to the newly registered rival party, People Power Front (PPF), which he is rumored to be forming with former NUP official Spartan Mukagyi.
The registration of PPF on December 20, 2023, has sparked controversy, with critics alleging it aims to undermine NUP’s political agenda ahead of the 2026 elections.
The Diaspora community, a critical support base for NUP, issued an ultimatum for Rubongoya to step down, citing his betrayal of party ideals. In their view, Chairman Nyanzi, being closely aligned with Bobi Wine, is a more reliable guardian of the party’s interests.
Internal sources suggest that Nyanzi has been working closely with party leadership to consolidate support.
His nationwide efforts to strengthen Kunga structures key organizational networks within NUP are reportedly designed to ensure his victory in the delegates’ conference. These structures represent a significant portion of the voting bloc for party leadership elections.
The allegations against Rubongoya go beyond financial impropriety. Rumors suggest he harbors ambitions to challenge Kyagulanyi for the party presidency, a move that has further eroded trust among party members.
His alliance with Mukagyi, described as a strategist with strong organizational skills, has raised suspicions about the intent and agenda of PPF, which is reportedly nearing completion of its foundational plans.
As NUP prepares for its 2025 conference, the rivalry between Nyanzi and Rubongoya highlights deep-seated tensions within the party.
Whether Nyanzi’s candidacy will unify the party or deepen divisions remains to be seen, as the political landscape takes shape ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
