KAMPALA – In a significant political development, Kampala Woman MP aspirant Honourable Zahara Marah Luyirika has reportedly mended fences with Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, the wife of National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.
The meeting, which took place last week at the Kyagulanyi residence in Magere, is said to have defused a long-simmering feud that had threatened to derail Luyirika’s political ambitions.
According to sources close to the matter, Luyirika, accompanied by her mother and other family members, sought the audience to directly address persistent rumours linking her romantically to Kyagulanyi. It is reported that during the private meeting, Luyirika went on bended knees to explain that the allegations were fabrications spread by political rivals aiming to tarnish her reputation and sabotage her parliamentary bid.
She further clarified that her decision to contest for the Kampala Woman MP seat was a personal ambition, countering narratives that she was being propped up by “Bobi Wine.” Luyirika attributed these claims to “haters” seeking to undermine her credibility.
An attentive Barbie Kyagulanyi was reportedly “shocked” to learn that what she had believed to be true were “total lies,” and was seen nodding in understanding throughout the explanation.
The reconciliation has immediate political ramifications. Prior to the meeting, Barbie Kyagulanyi was said to be deeply displeased with Luyirika, a sentiment that had severely damaged the aspirant’s chances of securing the party flag in the ongoing selections. Insiders had placed her probability of success at a mere 2%, as Barbie had previously vowed to block her selection in favour of another aspirant, Honourable Malende.
However, with the recent harmonization between Luyirika and the Kyagulanyi family, the political landscape has shifted. Sources indicate that Honourable Malende’s camp is now in “total panic.” Malende’s position is further complicated by alleged friction with senior NUP officials following claims that she, like Honourable Mpuuga, had improperly received money from the government—an allegation she has consistently denied.
The resolution of this personal conflict appears to have cleared a major obstacle for Zahara Luyirika’s candidacy, potentially resetting the race for the NUP flag in the Kampala Woman MP constituency.
