Rubongoya’s Power Struggle. Why Aloysius Mukasa Paid the Price for Standing with Nyanzi
The removal of Hon. Aloysius Mukasa, the incumbent MP for Rubaga South, from the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) list of flag bearers continues to stir outrage across Kampala.
Mukasa, known for his grassroots activism and strong community presence, was widely expected to retain the ticket. Instead, the flag went to Nassolo Eugenia, a candidate many residents say lacks ground support.
A Decision Driven by Rivalry, Not Merit
Contrary to speculation, Mukasa’s omission had nothing to do with his performance or popularity. Insider sources confirm that his name was struck off at the very last minute just before the official list went public on the party’s platforms.
The decision, insiders reveal, was not about competence but about internal rivalries at the top of NUP, specifically the growing feud between Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya and party Chairman Fred Nyanzi, elder brother to party president Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine).
Rubongoya’s Fear of Nyanzi
Behind the scenes, Rubongoya is said to view Nyanzi as a threat to his influence. The two men are believed to be positioning themselves for dominance in Kampala politics, with tensions escalating way before when Nyanzi st first announced his intention to run for Lord Mayor a seat Rubongoya was also rumored to covet.
For Rubongoya, Mukasa’s visible support for Nyanzi was interpreted as betrayal. Yet, for many within NUP, it was a natural gesture of respect toward the president’s elder brother and party chairman.
The Forgotten Sacrifice of Nyanzi
What makes the tension more troubling is that Nyanzi is not just Bobi Wine’s political ally he is his backbone.
Long before politics and fame, Fred Nyanzi made enormous sacrifices to support his younger brother.
In the difficult days of their upbringing, when resources were scarce, it was Nyanzi who hustled running small businesses, working odd jobs, and struggling daily to pay Bobi Wine’s school fees and ensure he stayed in school.
Those close to the family recall that Bobi Wine’s rise, both in music and later in politics, was built on the foundation of Nyanzi’s selflessness. As one insider put it, “If there is anyone who should never be undermined in NUP, it is Nyanzi. He carried his brother on his back when times were hardest.”
Punishing Loyalty
It is against this backdrop that Mukasa’s removal from the flag bearer list is seen not just as a political maneuver, but as a betrayal of loyalty.
Mukasa’s decision to support Nyanzi’s mayoral bid before and even rally over UGX 50 million to support his wedding was, to Rubongoya, proof that the legislator was “Nyanzi’s man.” To many others, it was simply an act of solidarity and brotherhood.
One NUP source explained, “Mukasa did nothing wrong. He only stood by a man who has stood by the President all his life. But Rubongoya chose to weaponize that loyalty against him.”
A Party Divided
The fallout is already evident. Residents of Rubaga South have openly rejected the decision, warning that NUP risks losing the seat to the NRM if it disregards the will of the people. Grassroots leaders insist that Mukasa remains their preferred candidate, describing the replacement with Nassolo Eugenia as a betrayal.
Mukasa has since petitioned the party, but whether NUP leadership will revisit the matter remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the incident has exposed deep fractures within the party’s leadership, raising doubts about whether internal democracy can withstand the weight of personal ambitions.
The Bigger Picture
As one councilor summed it up, “If supporting the President’s elder brother the same man who once struggled to keep Bobi Wine in school has become a crime in NUP, then the party has lost its way. Rubongoya’s grudge has created a wound that will be hard to heal.”
The Rubaga South controversy may have begun as a ticket dispute, but it now speaks to something much deeper, a clash between loyalty, ambition, and the future direction of Uganda’s largest opposition party.
