A storm cloud hangs over the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Bukoto South. Members are demanding their elected MP, Dr. Twaha Kagabo, hand back his party membership card.
The cause? Disrespectful comments aimed at NUP and its leader, Bobi Wine, during a recent visit by President Museveni. The controversy ignited when Dr. Kagabo, at the President’s visit, publicly criticized Bobi Wine.
He accused the NUP leader of misleading people and claimed to have left the party after realizing this. NUP members in Bukoto South were outraged. Not only were they offended by the remarks, but they also felt Dr Kagabo hadn’t delivered as their MP.The demand for Dr. Kagabo’s resignation came swiftly.
Letters flooded party leader Bobi Wine’s office, and signs demanding the return of the NUP card sprouted throughout the streets.Dr. Kagabo, however, took the situation lightly. He dismissed calls to return the card, claiming it’s like a “rental” with an expiry date in May 2025.
Until then, he asserts, he can do as he pleases with the card, even “rub it in the dust” if he wants.Despite this flippant response, Dr. Kagabo did offer a glimmer of hope. He hinted at eventually returning the card, suggesting a potential reconciliation.But tensions remain high.
NUP members are resolute, while Dr. Kagabo clings to his “rental” card theory. This clash throws NUP’s grip on Bukoto South into question. With both sides digging in, the party’s future in the constituency hangs in the balance.
Only time will tell if Dr. Kagabo will make good on his vague promise and how this power struggle will ultimately play out.
Relatedly, Last year National Unity Platform party president Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert aka Bobi Wine hosted a delegation of party grassroot leaders from Lwengo district.While interacting with the group, Bobi took a swipe at the Bukoto Central Member of Parliament Dr. Twaha Kagabo for derailing from the struggle for liberation and opting to dine with the junta.
“I had a round table conversation with your MP Twaha Kagabo when I saw him applauding the health system under the NRM 37 years of dictatorship. I had seen him appraising this regime for building a formidable health sector,” Bobi said. “I reminded Kagabo of the campaign days when one of our own comrades Ashraf Kasirye was hit with a teargas canister on his head. We struggled to locate a health centre to give him first aid. Indeed, we were compelled to drive back to Kampala to Rubaga hospital where he was treated. I asked Kagabo if I was wrong to say that our health sector was dire, and he indeed agreed with my argument,” Bobi narrated.
Bobi also lashed out at the Kawempe South lawmaker Kazibwe Bashir Mbaziira who has to-date never laid foot at the new party headquarters in Makerere Kavule yet that is the jurisdiction he leads.
Kagabo however in an interview hit back at his principal, stating that he as a medical practitioner is mandated to applaud this government for fixing the health system.