MP Nalukoola asks King Saha to pick nominations and lead foot soldiers if he thinks politics is as easy as smoking weed

The gloves have gone off in Kawempe North as National Unity Platform (NUP) Member of Parliament Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola has publicly grilled fellow party foot soldier and celebrated musician Mansur Ssemanda, popularly known as King Saha, challenging him to move beyond criticism and formally pick nomination forms if he wants to lead.

The unapologetic Nalukoola even asked the Nakawuka based Rastafarian if he shared some of his Kololo concert royalties with the hungry and angry foot soldiers.

Speaking during a heated community engagement meeting in Kawempe on Wednesday night that brought together local NUP leaders, ghetto youth, and foot soldiers in Kawempe Kirokole, Nalukoola did not mince his words.

The MP, who massively won the byelection to replace the late Muhammad Ssegirinya, accused some prominent voices in the movement of being loud on social media and attacking leaders just because they are not getting money from them.

The meeting had been convened to discuss the ongoing rift in the party between foot soldiers and leaders especially MPs. The tension escalated when King Saha, who has been a vocal critic of the government took to TikTok to validate and complain about MPs who have not helped to empower the welfare of the foot soldiers. King Saha pointed out Nalukoola, who has been so hard on his money ever since he went to parliament, yet his byelection saw thousands of foot soldiers pay a heavy price with their own blood to ensure that his victory is guaranteed.

King Saha, who has never contested for elective office but is considered one of the most influential NUP mobilizers in the ghetto, lamented that foot soldiers who were beaten, arrested and sacrificed during the 2021 campaign and the recent Kawempe North by-election had been abandoned.

It is at this point that Nalukoola interjected, in what many described as a grilling session.

“My brother King Saha, you have a big voice. The ghetto respects you. But respect alone is not enough. If you think you can represent the people better, go and pick nominations. Don’t just complain from the fence. Enter the political arena,” Nalukoola said to loud applause.

The Kawempe North legislator, known for his blunt legal background, reminded the singer that politics is not just about singing and posting on Facebook, but about organizing structures, funding foot soldiers, and facing the wrath of the state.

“You talk about foot soldiers. I agree with you, they suffer. When I was nominated for the by-election, my agent Charles Sserubiri was beaten and my papers were confiscated. I slept in a hotel because of threats. These are the realities. So if you love the foot soldiers, support them practically. Buy them airtime, pay their medical bills, hire lawyers for them when they are arrested. That is leadership,” Nalukoola charged.

Nalukoola’s remarks come at a time when NUP is grappling with internal discontent among its base. Several foot soldiers have accused MPs of using them during campaigns and abandoning them after winning seats. Others, like musicians and influencers aligned to the party, have been accused of wanting to control MP candidates without standing themselves.

However, Nalukoola insisted that the 2026 battle requires every influential figure to make a clear choice: either contest and subject yourself to the people’s vote, or commit to supporting those on the ballot.

“Kawempe is not won on TikTok Live. It is won door-to-door, in the mud, in the floods. If you have the energy to grill us every day, use that same energy to bring 10 people to the polling station. That is how we will win,” Nalukoola said.

The exchange has since gone viral on social media, with NUP supporters split. Some praised Nalukoola for calling out “armchair critics,” while others said King Saha was raising legitimate concerns about the welfare of ghetto youth.