“I Am A Makerere University Guild President Not A NUP Foot Soldier” Chairman Nyanzi’s Son Refuses To Apologizes To Bobi Wine Over Meeting Museveni

Fred Nyanzi, alias Chairman Nyanzi—Bobi Wine’s brother and Head of Mobilization for the National Unity Platform (NUP)—has said he is disappointed, just like other Ugandans pushing for change, that his son, Ssentamu Churchill James, the Guild President of Makerere University, shared a photo moment with President Yoweri Museveni.

On Tuesday, a photo of Churchill with President Museveni and other student leaders surfaced on social media and went viral, with many wondering why a nephew of opposition strongman Bobi Wine would accept to share a photo moment with Museveni.

Another section saw no issue with the photo, saying he is the Guild President and could not avoid taking a photo with the President, who was at the university to launch the Research and Innovations Week.

Chairman Nyanzi has released a video expressing his sadness that his son agreed to be in the photo.

According to Nyanzi, change-loving Ugandans have valid reasons to be disappointed, saying his son should not have allowed himself to be in the photo.

“My son, the man (President Museveni) you took a photo with has made me, your uncle Bobi Wine, and many Ugandans suffer. He has arrested and tortured us. It’s sad that you allowed yourself to be in the photo,” said Nyanzi.

He asked his son to publicly come out and apologise; if not, he should resign from his position as Guild President and strictly concentrate on his studies.

The controversy surrounding Ssentamu Churchill James, the Guild President of Makerere University, has escalated, with him firmly rejecting calls to apologize for his photo opportunity with President Yoweri Museveni.

This defiance has deepened the rift between him and his father, Fred Nyanzi, a prominent figure in the National Unity Platform (NUP), and has further ignited political tensions within Uganda.

Churchill Ssentamu’s stance is rooted in his assertion of independence. Having won the guild presidency as an independent candidate, he argues that he owes no allegiance to NUP or any other political party. He maintains that his primary responsibility is to serve the students of Makerere University, and that his interactions with President Museveni were part of his official duties as Guild President, not as a political operative.

His father, Fred Nyanzi, and other NUP members, however, view the photo as a betrayal of the opposition’s struggle against President Museveni’s government. They see it as a symbolic endorsement of a regime they believe is oppressive and unjust. Fred Nyanzi’s public plea for his son to apologize or resign reflects the deep emotional and political investment the NUP has in maintaining a unified front against the ruling party.

Churchill Ssentamu’s refusal to apologize has been met with mixed reactions. Some see it as a courageous display of independence and a rejection of partisan politics, while others view it as a sign of political naivety or even opportunism. Those who support his decision argue that he should be allowed to engage with all stakeholders, including the president, to advance the interests of Makerere University students. They emphasize the importance of pragmatism and dialogue in achieving tangible results.

Conversely, critics argue that Churchill Ssentamu has compromised his integrity and undermined the opposition’s struggle. They contend that his actions have normalized interactions with a regime that they believe is responsible for human rights abuses and political repression. They also raise concerns about the potential for political manipulation and co-optation, suggesting that the president’s photo opportunity was a calculated move to divide the opposition.

The situation highlights the complex dynamics of Ugandan politics, where personal relationships and family ties are often intertwined with political affiliations. It also underscores the challenges faced by young leaders navigating a highly polarized political landscape. Churchill Ssentamu’s decision to prioritize his role as Guild President over his family’s political affiliations reflects a growing trend among some young Ugandans who are seeking to carve out their own political identities.

The fallout from this incident is likely to have lasting repercussions. It has exposed divisions within the NUP and raised questions about the party’s ability to maintain unity and discipline. It has also highlighted the challenges of balancing personal relationships with political commitments. Ultimately, Churchill Ssentamu’s actions have sparked a national debate about the role of student leaders in a politically charged environment and the boundaries between personal independence and political accountability.

Meanwhile, Ssentamu Churchill James was elected the 91st Guild President of Makerere University on an independent ticket. This was after NUP’s pressure group, People Power, endorsed Ismail Basalirwa as their candidate in the guild race.