Kimanya Kabonera MP Abed Bwanika told National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi that his signature red overalls no longer have a place in Masaka. Speaking at the burial of the late Pascal Ssekasamba in Manja Village, Kiseka Subcounty, Lwengo District, Dr. Bwanika accused Kyagulanyi of failing to control his supporters, who he claimed abuse those who disagree with the NUP leader.
Bwanika specifically mentioned insults directed at Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga and Nyendo Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga. The funeral quickly became a political battleground, with NUP supporters accusing Bwanika of betrayal.
“If we are doing politics, each of us should respect each other; you should stop abusing us and our leaders,” Bwanika said. “This is not the struggle we envisioned, Mr. Kyagulanyi. Those youths who are abusing us are your followers. Anyone who wants to remove me from here can try. Kyagulanyi, stop undermining our leaders.”
Bwanika’s loyalty to former Leader of the Opposition Mpuuga, who was suspended from his position as NUP deputy president for the Buganda region in April, has been clear. Mpuuga’s suspension followed revelations of controversial allowances received from the Parliamentary Commission, including a 500 million UGX “service award.”
Despite NUP’s demands for Mpuuga to step down, he remained defiant with the backing of Speaker Anita Among and Parliament, and the support of Bwanika. This has led to a bitter rift with Kyagulanyi, as evident from Saturday’s events in Lwengo.
Amidst heckling mourners, Bwanika also accused NUP deputy spokesperson Waisswa Mufumbira of immorality before his microphone was taken away.
### Kyagulanyi Responds
When Kyagulanyi took the stage, he first apologized to the mourners for Bwanika’s remarks. He emphasized his role in appointing Mpuuga to various leadership positions, including vice president of NUP and Leader of the Opposition.
“Bwanika, I’m not sure if you love Mpuuga more than I do,” Kyagulanyi said. “I appointed him as my vice president, Leader of the Opposition, and Commissioner of Parliament. I made you an MP. I’m not acting out of hatred. We may disagree, but we must focus on the bigger picture. Our actions shape the future for our youth.”
Kyagulanyi assured that he bears no grudge against Mpuuga and emphasized the need for unity among opposition leaders, stating, “The only enemy I have is President Museveni. It saddens me that members of the Opposition sometimes fight among themselves instead of uniting against our common adversary.”
Kyagulanyi called for unity, urging opposition leaders to cease internal conflicts that only benefit President Museveni. The burial began with a mass led by Kyanukuzi Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Henry Kasule, who urged leaders to remain true to their parties and avoid succumbing to financial temptations from the NRM government.
While Mpuuga did not speak at the event, he appeared to acknowledge Bwanika’s statements. The widow, Mrs. Evelyne Nakku Ssekasamba, expressed gratitude for her late husband’s life and urged their children to continue trusting in God. Pascal Ssekasamba was born in 1970 and passed away at the age of 54.
