EXCLUSIVE: Power, Money, and Betrayal – How NUP’s Rubongoya Pushed Musiri Out Of The Makindye West Race And Favoured ‘Bònkmate’ Zaharah Luyirika

A storm is brewing inside the National Unity Platform (NUP), and it’s threatening to shake the very foundation of Uganda’s youngest and most vibrant political party. Allegations of manipulation, financial influence, and behind-the-scenes political dealings have emerged, pointing to a controversial ousting of Musiri David from the Makindye West parliamentary race — allegedly orchestrated by none other than NUP’s Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya.

What was once seen as a party driven by the values of transparency, people power, and internal democracy is now facing its most significant internal crisis yet. At the heart of the storm is the Makindye West constituency—a battleground that has ignited tensions among party faithful, confused supporters, and raised serious questions about the integrity of NUP’s internal processes.

Musiri’s Lead — And the Sudden Twist

According to a well-placed source within NUP’s Election Management Committee, the race for the party flag in Makindye West was all but settled—until it wasn’t.

“At the start of the process, former NUP head of institutions Musiri David was in a comfortable lead with 65% of the results, followed by the incumbent Allan Ssewanyana with 35%,” the source revealed. “Go and have a look at the preliminary leaked list. Musiri was the duly nominated flag bearer for Makindye West. He was going to be declared, but Rubongoya rang Mr. Ssebuwuufu and ordered that Zahra takes the slot.”

If this account is accurate, the party’s top leadership overrode the democratic outcome of its own vetting process, swapping out Musiri—who had garnered clear majority support—for Zahra Maala Luyirika, a former Kampala Woman MP aspirant.

But why? Why would the party discard its leading candidate in favor of someone who wasn’t even originally in the race for that particular constituency?

Money, Power, and the Cost of Political Favors

The answer, insiders claim, lies in a cocktail of money and political bargaining.

According to the same insider, Zahra Maala Luyirika had her eyes firmly set on the Kampala Woman MP seat and reportedly spent over UGX 600 million in her bid to clinch the NUP flag. However, her ambitions were met with fierce resistance from supporters of the incumbent, Shamim Malende**, whose grassroots appeal proved too strong to dislodge.

“Zahra gave Rubongoya some money and pledged to support him in Kampala Central if she gets the Woman MP flag,” the insider stated. “But this had to be reassessed because Malende staged a very serious resistance, and she seemed more grounded than Zahra.”

With the Malende camp digging in, and fearing a damaging internal split, party leadership allegedly devised a solution: offer Zahra another political opportunity—Makindye West.

But that decision came with a cost. And that cost was Musiri David.

Sacrificing Musiri — A Strategic Trade-Off?

“What had to be done was to sacrifice Musiri David, especially since Mulyanyama had switched goal posts to Makindye East where Nyeko Derrick had declared an exit,” the source added. “Zahra had to be compensated for the money she spent, but in reality, Musiri was the strongest candidate in Makindye West.”

This calculated reshuffling has left many within NUP — particularly in Makindye West — both outraged and disillusioned. Musiri was widely seen as the most grounded, experienced, and well-connected candidate. His removal from the ticket has raised uncomfortable questions about whether financial muscle and elite deals are beginning to dictate NUP’s internal affairs—echoing the very political culture the party has long vowed to challenge.

Supporters, many of whom participated in the vetting and voting process, feel blindsided. “We were told our voices matter,” said one angry voter. “Now it seems our votes can be overturned by a single phone call.”

History Repeats? Will Musiri Go Independent?

As the fallout continues, attention is now turning to Musiri David himself. Will he accept this decision quietly and rally behind the party’s choice? Or will he defy the party hierarchy and take the independent route?

There is precedent for such a move.

In 2017, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu—now the president of NUP—was similarly denied the support of established opposition parties (FDC and DP) during the Kyadondo East by-election. Rather than stepping down, Kyagulanyi ran as an independent, energizing the youth and eventually storming into Parliament in a dramatic victory that would pave the way for his rise to national prominence.

Could history be repeating itself in Makindye West?

If Musiri chooses to contest independently, he could harness the growing resentment among party grassroots and present himself as a candidate of principle—a man sidelined not for lack of support, but for refusing to play the political money game.

But the question remains: will NUP’s base follow him?

The Bigger Picture — A Test for NUP’s Soul

For many, this saga represents more than just a disagreement over a parliamentary flag. It’s a test of what kind of party NUP is becoming.

Is it still the revolutionary movement powered by ordinary Ugandans and fueled by their desire for change? Or is it gradually morphing into a typical Ugandan political party—where money, power plays, and insider dealings determine outcomes?

So far, party leadership has remained tight-lipped on the matter. But the silence is growing louder, especially in Makindye West, where voters are demanding answers.

One thing is clear: the decision to remove Musiri David has exposed deep fractures within the NUP structure—and how the party navigates this moment could define its credibility heading into the 2026 elections.

The people of Makindye West are watching. The country is watching. And Musiri David now stands at a crossroads.

Will he walk away—or will he, like Kyagulanyi before him, gamble on the people?

Only time—and the ballot—will tell.