“Let Them Suffer,  Don’t Send Them Any Single Coin” Bobi Wine’s NUP Denied Shs7.5 Billion As Mao Enforces New Political Law

Uganda’s biggest opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, has been denied its share of government funding worth Shs7.5 billion. The move comes after Justice Minister Norbert Mao instructed the Electoral Commission (EC) not to release any money to NUP, saying, “Don’t send them a single coin!”

This decision is based on a new law that only allows political parties that are members of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) to receive government funding. However, NUP withdrew from IPOD years ago, accusing it of being a tool used by President Museveni’s government to weaken the opposition and avoid real democratic change.

According to Minister Mao, there is no legal basis to give NUP any funding because they are not part of IPOD. He said the Electoral Commission must follow the law and cannot send money to parties outside this agreement.

This development is a major setback for NUP, which has the largest number of opposition Members of Parliament and huge support across the country. Meanwhile, smaller parties like the Democratic Party (DP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and People’s Front for Transition (PFT) are still eligible to receive part of the funding—despite having less public support.

For NUP, this means losing key resources to run their operations. Government funds usually help political parties pay office bills, print posters, organize rallies, and reach voters. Without this support, NUP will now rely on small contributions from supporters in Uganda and abroad—something Ugandans call luseke.

One NUP official responded, saying, “This is just another method to silence us. But we’re used to these tricks. We will continue the struggle—with or without money.”

The news has caused strong reactions across the country. Many people believe the law was made to punish and weaken NUP, especially as the 2026 elections draw near. Others argue that the party made its choice by leaving IPOD and must now face the consequences.

So far, Bobi Wine has not made an official statement. But close sources say he is urging supporters to remain focused, united, and strong, even in the face of this new challenge.

In the end, while NUP may have lost millions in funding, their message and mission for change remain as loud as ever.