Kimanya-Kabonera legislator Abed Bwanika has declared he is still a member of the National Unity Platform (NUP), even after a series of confrontational exchanges with the party leadership over the last three years.
During a Sunday night political show on NBS TV, Bwanika said he had written to the party, raising several concerns, and would base his continued membership on how NUP responds.
“I’m still a member of NUP, but I wrote a letter to the leadership raising some concerns. How they respond to those questions will determine whether I remain in the party or not,” Bwanika stated.
The comments come in the wake of a strong ultimatum from NUP leadership, warning defiant party Members of Parliament that failure to realign with the party could result in political isolation come the 2026 general elections. The party recently announced that it would instead back fresh and loyal candidates who uphold discipline and unity within the party structures.
Dr. Bwanika’s apparent softening follows years of criticism toward the party, particularly aimed at its leadership style. He previously accused NUP of being a personality cult centered on President Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) and faulted its perceived lack of national structure and inclusiveness. He also opposed boycotts of parliamentary sessions and pushed for political dialogue with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM)—positions at odds with the party’s strategy.
In 2023, Bwanika drew more ire from party loyalists when he skipped a key NUP retreat and accused the leadership of alienating diverse political thought. His most recent remarks, however, suggest a change in strategy as the 2026 elections draw closer.
“I was elected by the people of Kimanya-Kabonera. I won’t deny that the NUP card had some influence, but in the last election, NUP issued 381 party tickets, yet only 59 of us made it to Parliament,” Bwanika said, questioning the party’s influence on its own candidates’ victories.
In a surprising revelation, Bwanika also disclosed that before NUP was formed, a behind-the-scenes plan existed within the Democratic Party (DP) to field Robert Kyagulanyi as a presidential candidate while Norbert Mao would remain party president—a plan he alleges was thwarted by MP Muwanga Kivumbi.
As the standoff between NUP and its dissenting MPs intensifies, Bwanika’s new tone could either signal a genuine attempt to reconcile or a strategic maneuver to remain politically relevant. The coming weeks will reveal whether NUP will respond favorably or stick to its hardline stance.
