Is Bobi Wine’s Brother Fred Nyanzi Behind The NUP Internal Wars? A Look Into Kunga Failures , Greed And 2020 Extortion Cases

As the National Unity Platform (NUP) grapples with internal conflicts, a prominent figure emerges at the center of the storm: Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, elder brother to the party’s charismatic leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Alias Bobi Wine.

Nyanzi’s presence within NUP has stirred controversy, with many party leaders accusing him of disruptive behavior and financial impropriety. Prior to his association with NUP, Nyanzi’s political allegiance lay with President Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). His sudden transition to NUP raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about his intentions within the opposition party.

One of the primary grievances against Nyanzi revolves around his alleged failure to provide an account of funds allocated for Kunga activities, a vital aspect of NUP’s community engagement efforts. Party leaders have decried his disrespectful demeanor and apparent lack of transparency, further exacerbating tensions within the organization.

Kunga Funds Mismanagement

Highly placed sources at Makerere Kavule have confirmed to this site that Bobi Wine’s Brother Nyanzi and NUP Secretary General Rubongoya’s misunderstanding started when they disagreed on how to run the countrywide political mobilization drive dubbed KUNGA.

The drive was headed by Nyanzi but the funds to facilitate it were supposed to be authorised by Rubongoya as the party Secretary General.Sources revealed that Rubongoya advised that it was not the right time to kick off the countrywide mobilization given that the party did not have the money and it was too early for such mobilisation.

Sources said that Bobi Wine intervened and the misunderstanding was resolved but the beef remained. However, at that time, Nyanzi told theGrapevine that there was no misunderstanding between him and Rubongoya.

However, 3 weeks ago , another war broke out in the NUP Top Leadership as Bobi Wine’s Brother Nyanzi failed to account for the millions of money used in the nationwide Kunga activities.

Kunga Wrangles In Masaka.

Tensions within the party came to the fore about two weeks ago, particularly in the greater Masaka region. Former LoP Mpuuga, backed by some local leaders, expressed opposition to a mobilization campaign named ‘Kkunga.’ This campaign, led by the party’s influential secretary for Mobilization, Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu – who is also Kyagulanyi’s brother – faced criticism for its approach and objectives.

However, the party leaders in Masaka City recently expressed reservations about the program, and are demanding that its activities be halted for undermining the elected leaders, hence causing unwanted conflict within the party.

During the regional leaders retreat held in Masaka City, the members accused the Kunga campaign crusaders of misusing it, by turning it into a platform for spreading smear campaigns against elected leaders hence undermining the party.The Masaka leaders are blaming Bobi Wine’s Brother Nyanzi for disrespecting them and failing to heed to their advice since they know their people of Masaka.

Mpuuga has openly questioned the campaign’s goals, labeling them as convoluted. He raised concerns about the campaign’s focus, questioning why ‘Kkunga,’ if it were a beneficial project, seemed to be targeting NUP members specifically. This stance by Mpuuga reflects underlying tensions within the NUP and highlights the complexities of internal party dynamics, as well as the challenges faced by opposition parties in navigating their political and strategic objectives.

It should be remembered that in 2020, National Unity Platform (NUP) president Hon Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu fired his elder brother Nyanzi Fred Ssentamu from party responsibility. Privy source close to Kamwokya party headquarters told this site that the decisiom was reached night in a secret meeting of the high command.

According to evidence Mr Nyanzi popularly known as Chairman Nyanzi was dealing with the ruling NRM. Complainants accused Chairman Nyanzi for collecting money from National Resistance Movement (NRM) sponsored candidates to win NUP tickets.

“Hon Kyagulanyi has kicked out the entire NUP Kampala Central vetting committee, nullified all their past decisions and declared all posts in Kla vacant,” The Source Said In 2020.

They were accused of, impunity, taking massive bribes from contesting candidates and stinking corruption.The situation underscores the complexity of political dynamics in Uganda, where personal affiliations and family ties intersect with broader ideological currents.

NUP’s struggle to reconcile internal differences highlights the challenges of maintaining cohesion in the face of external pressures and internal dissent.As NUP navigates these turbulent waters, the role of figures like Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu will undoubtedly continue to be scrutinized, shaping the party’s trajectory and its ability to effectively challenge the status quo.

Several NUP members are openly opposing Fred Nyanzi’s bid for the 2026 Kampala Lord Mayor seat, citing concerns over his leadership style. Some express doubt in his suitability for the role, suggesting that other party members possess the necessary qualifications and skills.

This divergence of opinion within NUP signals early discord regarding Nyanzi’s aspirations, indicating potential obstacles to his candidacy as the party navigates internal dynamics leading up to the election.