Nakawa West Member of Parliament (MP) Ronald Balimwezo was left in visible distress after the National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership informed him they would not support his bid for Kampala Lord Mayor, opting instead to back incumbent Erias Lukwago in a secret political deal.
Sources within NUP reveal that party President Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, struck a behind-the-scenes agreement with Lukwago, wherein NUP would tacitly support the veteran politician’s re-election in exchange for Lukwago’s pledge not to challenge Bobi Wine under his newly formed People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) in the 2026 elections.
To enforce this arrangement, Kyagulanyi reportedly told Balimwezo during a recent NUP gathering that while the party would grant him its flag as a formality, he should expect no further campaign support.
Eyewitnesses say a devastated Balimwezo broke down in tears, kneeling before Kyagulanyi and begging for his backing, only to be pushed away by the NUP leader.
The betrayal cuts deeper for Balimwezo, who has also been forced out of his Nakawa West constituency to make way for Bobi Wine’s close ally Waiswa Mufumbiro.
This double abandonment has left the once-loyal NUP stalwart stranded as he faces political isolation from the party he helped build.
The incident has sparked outrage among NUP supporters and the general public, with many accusing the party of sacrificing its own members for Bobi Wine and his family’s and friends’ interests.
“This is the height of betrayal. Balimwezo has been a committed mobiliser, only to be discarded like this,” One NUP supporter from Nakawa said.
Others, however, blame Balimwezo for what they call blind loyalty to Kyagulanyi.
While the alleged deal strengthens Lukwago’s position as Kampala Mayor, it risks damaging NUP’s credibility among grassroots supporters who expected the party to uphold internal democracy.
Political analysts warn such backroom agreements could fracture NUP’s unity, especially if other members feel similarly dispensable.
As the 2026 elections draw closer, this incident raises serious questions about NUP’s internal cohesion and whether it can maintain its “people power” ideals while engaging in politics of deceit.
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