Bukomansimbi residents have declared their intention to withhold support for the National Unity Platform (NUP) in the upcoming elections following Joel Ssenyonyi’s attacks on their woman MP, Veronica Nanyondo, who is also a member of the same party.
The controversy stemmed from a funeral in Bukomansimbi on December 27, 2024, held in memory of Robert Kyagulanyi’s paternal grandmother. During the event, Ssenyonyi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), abused and humiliated Nanyondo for withdrawing her support for a censure motion against parliamentary commissioner Mathias Mpuuga, who is accused of mismanaging public funds.
Residents, however, have deemed his comments inappropriate, especially given the solemn nature of the occasion, and vow not to elect anybody in their district who contests on a NUP ticket.
Joseph Kamuli, chairperson of Kitanda Sub-County, described the remarks as divisive and damaging to the party’s reputation in the district.
“The leaders we trusted to unite us are now undermining their own members. This behaviour jeopardises the credibility of the party,” Kamuli stated. He also noted that the matter involving Nanyondo had been resolved, making Ssenyonyi’s criticism unnecessary and counterproductive.
Kamuli added that “incidents like these clearly show that NUP can no longer lead us towards the change we desire.”
Hajj Muhammad Kateregga, a veteran politician in the district, warned that such conflicts could harm the opposition’s efforts to challenge the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the 2026 elections.
“This is a time for leaders to lower their egos and work on mobilising the people for change. Public criticism at sensitive events like funerals only exposes internal weaknesses and gives the ruling party an advantage,” Katerega said.
Ssenyonyi’s remarks have sparked a broader conversation among Bukomansimbi residents about the kind of leadership they deserve, with most residents vowing to never accord their support to such parties that lack leadership skills.
