Take Money And Shut Up!! MP Asuman Basalirwa Filmed Bribing Chapati Seller Who Exposed Him At His Rally

Bugiri Municipality MP and JEEMA president Asuman Basalirwa has once again become the talk of town after a video surfaced showing him handing cash to the same chapati seller who publicly humiliated him during the launch of his campaign rally at Bugiri Bus Park.

The viral clip, now making rounds on social media, captures Basalirwa seated on a sofa beside the same defiant vendor, Hadadi, pulling money from his pocket and insistently placing it into the hands of the visibly reluctant young man.

Interestingly, Hadadi appears to be wearing the very same clothes he donned on Thursday, when he boldly confronted the MP before a massive crowd of voters eager to question their representative’s performance and promises.

Though the video has no audio, it has triggered a wave of speculation and debate. Some observers describe the act as a gesture of peace and reconciliation, while others suspect it could be a payoff meant to silence a vocal critic.

According to sources present at Thursday’s rally, Basalirwa’s Q&A session nearly descended into chaos as several residents — including Hadadi — took turns challenging his record and political stance.

The tension reached its peak when Hadadi demanded answers on why the MP had remained silent over the UPDF Amendment Bill, which reintroduced the trial of civilians in military courts, and the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Bill, championed by Justice Minister Norbert Mao.

The outspoken chapati seller accused Basalirwa of betraying the opposition and failing to protect the rights of ordinary citizens. He further questioned the MP’s close ties with Speaker Anita Among and the ruling NRM government, claiming that Bugiri voters were starting to doubt his loyalty to the opposition cause.

As tempers flared, Basalirwa’s supporters reportedly roughed up the young man, forcing the rally to halt momentarily. Calm was only restored after the MP intervened, urging his team to bring Hadadi back to the stage.

In his address, Basalirwa, who reminded the gathering that he ranks among the top ten MPs in Parliament, pleaded for forgiveness, admitting that his prolonged absence from the constituency had angered many. He attributed this to his heavy parliamentary workload, particularly his committee duties in Kampala.

Nevertheless, Basalirwa defended his track record, asserting that he diligently serves the people who sent him to Parliament. He also revealed that Muslim elders had tasked him with preparing a Bill against homosexuality, arguing that it contravenes both religious and cultural values.

Despite his explanations, locals say the atmosphere in Bugiri remains uneasy, with frustration among voters still simmering. Many accuse the MP of neglecting his constituents and only resurfacing during campaign seasons.

Political analysts warn that the viral video of Basalirwa giving money to the same man who publicly challenged him could further complicate his image ahead of 2026. To some, it portrays him as a forgiving and humble leader; to others, it smacks of a calculated attempt to regain sympathy or suppress dissent after a public embarrassment.

The incident has since dominated political conversations across Bugiri. Many residents see it as a telling sign of how far the once-celebrated opposition figure has drifted from his grassroots base. For now, Basalirwa’s camp appears to be in full damage-control mode, as the battle for re-election grows increasingly fierce.