Serious problems are beginning to grow within the National Unity Platform (NUP), the party led by singer-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
As the February 2026 general elections draw near, new allegations have surfaced about how candidates are being chosen to receive the party flag.
An insider within NUP revealed to the media on Saturday, August 30, 2025, that loyalty to Bobi Wine now seems to be the main factor in deciding who gets the party ticket.
“If you’re not family or a close friend of Bobi Wine, then you must either kneel before him or bring serious money to get the party flag. That’s the unspoken rule now,” the insider said.
This revelation comes amid growing tension among some of NUP’s long-serving mobilizers, who now feel betrayed and sidelined by what they describe as a “cult of personality” surrounding Bobi Wine.
One of the most telling examples is that of former Kawempe North Member of Parliament, Latif Ssebagala. Once considered a key foot soldier in the struggle, Ssebagala reportedly fell out of favor for refusing to kneel before Bobi Wine and declining to contribute financially during a recent party fundraising drive.
“Latif was very instrumental he did the dirty work. He was on every radio and TV show defending Bobi Wine, attacking the first family, and mobilizing aggressively. But when the time came to reward him with the flag, he was pushed aside,” the source disclosed.
In stark contrast, the current Kawempe Division Mayor, Emmanuel Serunjogi, allegedly did everything that was expected both symbolically and financially.
According to the source, Serunjogi was often seen kneeling before Bobi Wine during public functions, and he reportedly made a significant contribution to the party’s fundraising efforts. His loyalty earned him the NUP ticket for the upcoming elections.
“Sserunjogi knelt, paid, and got the flag. Latif resisted both, and now he’s out. It’s as simple as that,” the insider emphasized.
Yet, there is surprise in the unfolding drama. Despite Sserunjogi’s willingness to follow protocol, the source claims he failed to carry out more aggressive political assignments that Ssebagala had willingly taken on, such as publicly attacking the ruling family or sabotaging government initiatives.
“Latif did everything asked of him except kneeling and paying. That cost him dearly. Meanwhile, Serunjogi didn’t even perform those assignments well, but because he showed submission and paid, he was rewarded,” the insider noted.
These revelations are raising serious concerns about the internal democracy of NUP, a party that once promised to be a fresh and transparent alternative to Uganda’s long-ruling establishment.
As the 2026 elections draw nearer, the divisions within NUP are becoming harder to ignore. While Bobi Wine continues to command a strong base of supporters, stories like that of Ssebagala suggest that all may not be well beneath the surface of Uganda’s biggest opposition party.
If these claims continue to surface, they could seriously damage NUP’s credibility particularly among its youth-driven support base, which has long demanded a break from the politics of patronage, personality cults, and backdoor dealings.
For now, the message to aspiring NUP candidates seems clear: kneel, pay or stay out.
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