Tension has erupted within the National Unity Platform (NUP) following controversial remarks made by Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, wife of party president Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), during the 5th Annual NUP Diaspora Convention held in Boston, Massachusetts from August 7–11, 2025.
Speaking to a packed audience at the Boston Marriott Burlington, Barbie delivered a passionate keynote address titled “Ndi Live!”meant to rally support for the NUP’s ongoing efforts to unseat President Yoweri Museveni in the 2026 elections.
However, her speech took an unexpected turn when she issued a direct warning to women who admire or are romantically drawn to her husband.
“Some of you spend more time loving my husband than supporting the mission,” she said. “Let this be clear—if NUP takes power, I will deal with each of you, one by one.”
The comment, which was streamed live and later circulated widely on social media, drew immediate backlash from both NUP supporters in the diaspora and in Uganda.
While some saw Barbie’s statement as a humorous or emotional outburst, others were alarmed by the tone and timing of the message.
A source close to the NUP organizing committee who asked to remain anonymous said the leadership had not been consulted about that part of her speech and were “blindsided.”
“This was supposed to be a moment of unity and inspiration,” the source said. “Instead, it’s become a moment of embarrassment and confusion.”
Several prominent NUP supporters in the diaspora also voiced concern.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ritah Nakate, an NUP organizer based in London, wrote:
“Barbie’s speech was disappointing. Many women support the struggle not because they admire Bobi, but because they believe in change. We need leadership that unites, not divides.”
Another activist in Boston, Moses Kamoga, called the remarks “tone-deaf” and said they could distract from the main goal of mobilizing support for the 2026 elections.
“We didn’t come all this way to hear threats. We came to hear a vision for a better Uganda,” he said.
In Kampala, a youth leader within the NUP called on the party to clarify its stance:
“We respect Barbie as the First Lady of NUP, but this kind of message sends the wrong signal especially to female supporters who make up a large part of our base.”
Supporters close to Barbie have tried to clarify her statements, saying she spoke as a wife expressing frustration not as a political leader issuing threats.
“She’s human. She was speaking from the heart,” said Sandra Nabirye, a Boston-based supporter. “But yes, it may have come out stronger than intended.”
So far, neither Barbie nor Bobi Wine has issued an official response or clarification.
What began as a rallying cry for change ended up dividing opinions within Uganda’s largest opposition movement.
While some defend Barbie Itungo’s comments as personal and emotional, many others say they were unnecessary and even damaging at a time when NUP needs to be building bridges, not burning them.
As one supporter said: “If we are not careful, we’ll lose the very people we need most our own.”
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