Seasoned journalist and media personality Kwezi Robinson has made controversial allegations involving former presidential candidate Mubarak Munyagwa and several other individuals who contested in Uganda’s recently concluded presidential elections, claiming they allegedly received substantial financial payments from President Yoweri Museveni after the polls.
In a video statement that has since attracted public attention, Robinson alleged that a number of former presidential contenders held a private meeting with Museveni at his country residence shortly after the conclusion of the general elections.
According to Robinson, the President allegedly handed each of the candidates Shs10 million, reportedly intended to facilitate their transportation back to Kampala following the meeting.
However, Robinson claims the alleged financial arrangements did not end there. He further alleged that a few days after the gathering, Museveni directed the State House Comptroller to transfer an additional Shs400 million to each of the participating former candidates.
Robinson suggested that the alleged payments were a reward for taking part in the presidential election, which he believes involved a deliberate political strategy to increase the number of candidates on the ballot and potentially divide opposition support.
He argued that having several presidential contenders could have worked to the advantage of the ruling establishment by splitting votes that might otherwise have consolidated behind National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
In his statement, Robinson directly challenged Munyagwa to publicly dismiss the allegations, insisting that he was prepared to produce evidence concerning the alleged Shs400 million transaction.
“If Munyagwa says I am lying, let him deny it, and I will reveal all the evidence to see if he has never received the Shs 400 million after the elections,” Robinson said.
The allegations have introduced another dimension to Uganda’s post-election political debate, particularly concerning the relationships between opposition politicians and the ruling establishment.
They have also revived questions about whether some presidential contenders genuinely challenged the incumbent or participated in an election environment that critics believe could have weakened opposition unity.
Robinson’s claims come amid heightened political scrutiny following separate disclosures by Hon. Justine Nameere, which have contributed to growing public debate about political loyalties, alleged financial inducements and the conduct of opposition figures.
However, the allegations remain unverified, and no evidence establishing that Munyagwa or the other former candidates received the purported payments has been independently presented in the information available.
