On Wednesday, August 23, 2023, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine, the president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), announced his nationwide tour to open party offices in over 12 districts, including Kabale, Kasese, Mayuge, Mbale, Lira, Gulu, Mbarara, Luwero, Arua, Busia, Fort Portal, and Soroti.
According to David Lewis Rubongoya, the party’s general secretary, the tour, which aims to reach out to party supporters in various regions of Uganda in preparation for the national election in 2026, will cost millions of shillings.
Various NUP supporters have criticised the party’s decision, arguing that the money could be used to address more pressing issues within the party.
Ssebandeke Ronald, a NUP supporter in Kamwokya, stated that Bobi Wine and the crew made a mistake by ignoring their lawmaker, who is in a desperate state that threatens his life.
“You see, it’s difficult to understand the magnitude of pain our brother is currently going through; unfortunately, even those (NUP) he hoped to help in this bitter situation have ignored him to fulfill their political ambitions, yet saving his life would be prioritised at the moment. They could have used those millions to save their colleague’s life, but they have decided to dump him after use,” Ssebandeke said.
In a video chat, Sarah Nakawoza, Ssegirinya’s medical attendant, revealed that Ssegirinya’s comrades in NUP have continued to pay a deaf ear to his requests for financial assistance, stating that he has been accused of working with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) since his release from detention.
Mohammad Ssegirinya, MP for Kawempe North, stated in a WhatsApp conversation with Kampala Central MP Mohammed Nsereko that his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), has abandoned him in the Netherlands, where he is receiving treatment.
However, on Monday, August 21, Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga blamed Ssegirinya for travelling abroad without notifying his office and his party.
On Wednesday, August 23, during the plenary session, Thomas Tayebwa, the deputy speaker, also confirmed that Ssegirinya did not follow the approved procedures for public servants seeking medical treatment abroad.
Ssegirinya, who is suffering from skin cancer, is currently stuck in the Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra Hospital in the Netherlands with a medical bill of Shs 80 million.
