NAKAWA – A significant rift has emerged within the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Nakawa Division after incumbent Mayor Paul Mugambe publicly denounced the party’s selection of singer-turned-politician Ali Bukeni, popularly known as Nubian Li, as its flagbearer for the 2026 mayoral elections.
Speaking to the media in a visibly furious state, Mayor Mugambe declared he would withhold any support for Nubian Li’s campaign. He stated he was “not even surprised” by the choice, attributing it to Nubian Li’s status as a close ally of the party president, Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine.
“The writing was on the wall,” Mugambe said. “He had already been bragging about securing the nomination because of his proximity to the president. To prove this was a fair process, I demand that the party releases the specific results of all candidates to show how they performed both in vetting and on the ground.”
The selection controversy is reportedly rooted in a serious allegation of betrayal. According to sources privy to the internal party dealings, trouble began when Bobi Wine received intelligence of a clandestine political move orchestrated by Mugambe.
It is alleged that Mugambe facilitated a meeting between Nubian Li’s wife, Mutoni, and General Salim Saleh, the younger brother of President Yoweri Museveni, to broker a political deal. Gen. Saleh is a powerful figure known for behind-the-scenes political negotiations.
Upon receiving this information, Bobi Wine immediately summoned Nubian Li and Mutoni to his home and revealed the shocking details. A decisive meeting followed, resulting in a move to sideline not only Mugambe but also several Nakawa Division councilors believed to be part of the alleged arrangement with Gen. Saleh.
This revelation also impacted the initial succession plan. Sources indicate that Nubian Li was not initially prepared to enter the political race. With Mugambe under a cloud of suspicion, the party leadership first turned to another prominent figure, Nakawa Speaker Luyombya. However, further investigation allegedly revealed that Luyombya was also “on the payroll of Gen. Saleh,” forcing the party to abandon that option as well.
This left Nubian Li as the preferred candidate, a decision now ratified by the party’s internal processes. The move has exposed deep divisions and a climate of mistrust within the NUP camp in Nakawa. Mugambe, who is also a relative of another mayoral aspirant, Engineer Balimwezo, finds himself isolated, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the incumbent mayor.
As of now, the NUP leadership has not issued an official public response to Mugambe’s allegations and demands for transparency. The incident underscores the intense internal and external pressures facing Uganda’s main opposition party as it prepares for the 2026 general elections.
