Heated Clash on Kabaka’s CBS: Joel Ssenyonyi Faces Off with Semujju Nganda, Lifts Lid on Why Joyce Bagala Was Dropped

Thursday’s political debate on Kabaka’s 89.2 CBS FM turned fiery as Leader of Opposition and NUP Spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi took on both Joyce Bagala and Ibrahim Semujju Nganda in a no-holds-barred exchange.

The show, hosted by Kalule Lameck, saw Ssenyonyi deliver the most detailed explanation yet on why incumbent Mityana Woman MP Joyce Bagala was denied the NUP ticket for 2026 — a position now fronted by actress Proscovia Mukisa, popularly known as Nabossa.

Responding to Bagala’s earlier TV appearance, where she claimed her ouster was orchestrated as revenge for her friendship with former LoP Mathias Mpuuga, Ssenyonyi firmly dismissed the accusation.

“Hon Joyce Bagala, my sister — if that was the case, there is no way Hon Veronica Nanyondo would be the flag bearer for Bukomansimbi. There is no way Hon Robert Sekitoleko or even Brenda Nabukenya of Luwero would retain their NUP flags for 2026 if indeed this was a witch-hunt against Rt Hon Mathias Mpuuga’s friends. These are all his very good friends, but they each were given the NUP ticket,” said Ssenyonyi, who also couldn’t resist reminding listeners that he holds four degrees and is “the most educated person on the panel.”

He then revealed what he described as the real reason for Bagala’s rejection.

“We assigned you the role to head the government assurances committee [deputizing Dr. Abed Bwanika] and when we asked you to leave that role, you refused. You refused to vacate and instead ganged up with the NRM, because of their tyranny of numbers in the House, and you mockingly refused to vacate. That was very bad and it showed lack of respect because you humiliated the [NUP] party top leadership and portrayed them as toothless and powerless actors who couldn’t do anything to you,” Ssenyonyi stated.

Bagala, clearly angered by the revelation, shot back with frustration.

“There you go. You [fellow journalist] have again disappointed me just like Hatma. I expected much better from both of you because you are professional journalists just like myself. All along you have been pretending to lie people on Kabaka’s radio that I was dropped because I lacked ground support.”

“Now you have finally told the truth. Thank God, everybody has now understood that my removal had nothing to do with lack of support on the ground but some other considerations, which you have just confirmed right now,” she said sharply.

Ssenyonyi vs Semujju: Who Deserves to Be in Parliament?

The sparks didn’t end there. On the same show, Ssenyonyi also locked horns with fellow opposition stalwart Semujju Nganda over who qualifies to be an MP. Semujju, the Kira Municipality MP, argued that Parliament should be reserved for the highly educated and politically astute — citing figures like Medard Segona.

But Ssenyonyi pushed back.

“Hon Semujju, there is no way our people are going to accept voting such people again,” he said, referencing MPs who speak fluent English but have allegedly made backroom deals with Museveni’s regime. He emphasized that education alone isn’t a measure of good representation.

Ssenyonyi likened singer-turned-politician Mathias Walukagga to Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), reminding listeners how intellectuals initially dismissed Kyagulanyi but now rely on his endorsement to win elections. He also pointed out Kawempe North MP Mohammed Ssegirinya — frequently derided by elites — as a prime example of effective grassroots representation.

Semujju remained unconvinced.

“I still believe there are better ways for people like Ssegirinya to serve the opposition cause without being in Parliament where they’re easily outmaneuvered and often can’t contribute meaningfully,” he argued.

When moderator Kalule Lameck challenged Ssenyonyi to name one thing Ssegirinya had delivered in Parliament, Ssenyonyi didn’t directly respond but doubled down on Walukagga’s potential.

“Even when he isn’t fluent in English like Medard Segona, Mathias Walukagga has a very creative mind as a musician and there are many things he is going to accomplish in Parliament,” Ssenyonyi said, suggesting that Segona was politically “exhausted” after 15 years in Parliament.

Semujju scoffed at this idea, making his point with biting sarcasm.

“If we are indeed all equal and can be good at everything, how come musicians sing and intelligent orators like yourself end up being the ones to address the crowd?” he asked.

He concluded with a strong endorsement for keeping veteran legislators in place:
“If I had a way to decide, I would decree that political colossuses like Medard Segona, Wilfred Niwagaba, Abdul Katuntu, Asuman Basalirwa and the Ben Wachas of the 6th Parliament remain MPs for their entire life because they are simply too good and hard to replace.”